1 Killed in Car Accident on Mike Path Rd. in Paulding County, GA

Paulding County, GA — March 14, 2025, A child was killed following a car accident that occured at around 7:00 A.M. on Mike Path Rd.

Authorities continue to investigate after a car accident left a 1-year-old child dead on the morning of March 14th. According to official reports the accident took place on Mike Path Road near Villarica Highway when a vehicle struck the child, though at this time further details of how this occurred are still being determined.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found the child had sustained fatal injuries and they declared the 1-year-old deceased. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including how this collision occurred, however this remains an active investigation and officials may come forward with additional details in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When an accident results in the death of a one-year-old child, especially under circumstances that are still unclear, the priority must be to understand exactly how the incident occurred. In these types of cases, speculation tends to fill the void left by limited information—but from a legal and investigative standpoint, we need facts. And as with any serious incident involving a vehicle, there are three critical questions that must be answered to get to the truth: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? And has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

Starting with the first question, it’s essential that authorities conduct a thorough and methodical investigation. The initial report indicates that a child was struck by a vehicle on Mike Path Road near Villarica Highway, but little else is known about how that happened. Key information—such as whether the vehicle was moving at high speed, backing up, or navigating a complex environment—is still missing. Investigators should be looking at road conditions, visibility at the time of the incident, the location and movement of both the vehicle and the child, and any available witness accounts. In many cases, critical details can be uncovered through scene measurements, forensic mapping, or video surveillance if it’s available. Without those steps, important evidence may be overlooked.

The second question—whether a vehicle defect may have contributed—is rarely asked in incidents involving pedestrians or children, but it absolutely should be. Malfunctions involving braking systems, unintended acceleration, or blind spot detection can all play a role in collisions like this, even at low speeds. If the driver claims they didn’t see the child or that the vehicle didn’t stop as expected, those statements need to be backed up by an inspection of the vehicle. That kind of inspection requires the vehicle to be preserved and reviewed by qualified experts. If that doesn’t happen early, the chance to identify a contributing defect may be lost.

The third and often most overlooked question is whether electronic data from the vehicle has been recovered. Most modern vehicles are equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs), which can provide data about speed, braking, throttle position, and even collision alerts. In an incident involving a child, this data can clarify whether the driver was actively braking, accelerating, or if the vehicle issued any warning prior to impact. Additionally, dashcam footage—if available—could provide a visual account of the moments leading up to the crash. This kind of evidence is time-sensitive and must be secured quickly to prevent it from being erased or overwritten.

At this point in the investigation, the cause of the crash remains unknown to the public. But that makes it even more important to ensure that these three questions are answered. It’s not about blame—it’s about understanding what happened and making sure that any and all contributing factors are identified. For the family of the child and for the community at large, the goal must be a full accounting of the facts so that everyone can move forward with clarity and, if necessary, take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.