Three-Year-Old Dies After Being Struck by Car in Carencro Parking Lot as Police Say Alcohol Was Not Involved in the Crash

CARENCRO, LA — A 3-year-old child died after being hit by a vehicle in a restaurant parking lot in Carencro, according to police. The Carencro Police Department said officers were called to a crash with injuries at Walk-On’s restaurant on the evening of Oct. 27.

When officers arrived, they found the toddler in the parking lot after the child had been struck by a vehicle that was trying to leave the lot. The child was taken to a local hospital, where police said the injuries proved fatal.

Investigators said the crash happened after the child left the restaurant with family members and then ran into the parking lot. Police also said testing showed alcohol was not a factor in the collision.

Police say child ran into the path of a vehicle leaving the lot

According to investigators, the child exited the restaurant with family members before moving into the parking lot. Police said a vehicle attempting to leave the property struck the toddler during that sequence of events.

The department has not released details about the driver or said whether any citations have been issued. It also has not said exactly how fast the vehicle was traveling or what part of the parking lot the crash happened in.

For now, the known facts point to a sudden and devastating incident in a busy commercial parking area. The department described it as a crash with injuries before later confirming the child died from severe injuries.

Carencro police call it a tragedy for a close-knit community

Chief David Anderson of the Carencro Police Department said the crash has deeply affected the community. In a statement, he asked residents to keep the families involved in their hearts and prayers in the days ahead.

His comments reflected the emotional impact of the incident on the small Louisiana city. Police did not provide additional information about the child or family, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and the sensitivity of the case.

Even before all the facts are fully reviewed, the department has framed the crash as a heartbreaking loss rather than a routine traffic investigation. The chief’s remarks underscored how quickly a parking lot incident can turn into a fatal emergency.

Walk-On’s says it is deeply saddened and is working with authorities

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux released a statement after the child’s death, saying it was deeply saddened by the loss. The company extended condolences to the family and others affected by the tragedy.

The restaurant chain said it is cooperating with local authorities and will not comment further out of respect for those involved. That response leaves investigators to continue piecing together exactly how the crash unfolded.

Businesses often issue limited statements after incidents on their property, especially when a child is involved. In this case, the company’s message focused on sympathy and deference to the people directly impacted.

Alcohol was ruled out, but investigators have released few other answers

Police said testing showed alcohol did not play a role in the crash. That narrows one common question in serious vehicle collisions, but it does not explain the full chain of events.

Investigators have not said whether the driver saw the child before impact or whether any parking lot conditions contributed. They also have not announced any charges or identified any mechanical issues connected to the vehicle.

For families and community members, those unanswered questions matter less than the outcome, which police have already confirmed was fatal. Still, the investigation appears focused on documenting exactly what happened in the moments before the vehicle struck the toddler.

A reminder of the dangers in crowded parking lots

Parking lots can become hazardous when cars, pedestrians and families are moving in the same tight space. In this case, police said the child ran into the lot as a vehicle was leaving, creating the conditions for a deadly collision.

The crash also highlights how quickly ordinary errands can end in tragedy when visibility and movement overlap. Families with young children often face added risks in these areas because children can move unexpectedly and are harder for drivers to see.

Authorities have not released any broader safety warning tied to the incident, but the facts of the case show how vulnerable pedestrians can be around moving vehicles, even at places people associate with routine visits and meals.