What began as a family day in the sun turned into a parent’s nightmare.
“In a matter of three minutes — like it just happened so fast,” said Celine Uhlenbrock, the mother of a 4-year-old boy who was struck and killed by a UPS truck in Batavia Township on Monday afternoon.
Uhlenbrock stated that her children were going to play with other neighborhood kids. She was getting her other two children ready when 4-year-old Daniel drove out in his wagon.
“By the time we’re helping the other two get situated so we could all walk together to the neighbors house to play, we heard the screech of the wagon underneath the truck as it was dragging it along and I could see him walking up the drive way,” Uhlenbrock recalls.
According to an Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) release, a 51-year-old Cincinnati woman was driving a delivery truck on Autumnview Drive around 4:30 p.m. Monday and turned around in the cul-de-sac. When she resumed driving, officials claimed she hit Daniel in his wagon on the road.
Uhlenbrock was airlifted to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where he eventually died.
Uhlenbrock remembers her son here.
Mother speaks about the 4-year-old boy who was fatally hit by a UPS truck.
Uhlenbrock described Daniel as kind and eager to spend time with friends and family. She described him as an incredible big brother to his other two siblings.
“He was so energetic. “He was so happy,” Celine said through tears. “He was just a really good kid.”
UPS confirmed to WCPO 9 News that one of its drivers was involved in a “tragic accident” in Batavia Township on Monday afternoon.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones,” UPS said. “We are fully cooperating with the authorities to determine what occurred.
Because this is an active investigation, we must refer any further questions to the authorities.”
The crash remains under investigation at this time. Our team spoke with neighbors and they shared a GoFundMe they have started to help the family.
