LACEY, Wash. — An 11-year-old boy died Thursday after he rode on the running board of his father’s pickup truck as it was being driven in a Lacey parking lot, police said.
Officers and medics responded after 7 p.m. to a report of a pedestrian hit by a car near the QFC on Whitman Lane Southeast.
A father and his 11-year-old and 12-year-old sons were leaving the store’s parking when the boys didn’t get into their pickup truck but ran around the parking lot.
Police said the boys then jumped onto the running boards on each side of the truck as their father drove in the parking lot.
Investigators said the 12-year-old boy jumped clear of the vehicle and was not hurt. His 11-year-old brother died from injuries and was found several yards behind the pickup truck.
“The investigation is continuing into this tragic incident,” police said.
Police are investigating how he was injured and what led up to the incident.
Investigators said the father was cooperative with the investigation and there were no indications of impairment.
Anyone who may have information about the incident is asked to call the Lacey Police Department at 360-459-4333.