It’s a nightmare no parent should ever have to live through. A local firefighter and his young son were struck by a car on Wednesday at the Limestone Marketplace in Gainesville, Georgia, in a devastating accident that has left the community reeling.
Samuel Skelton, who is an off-duty Gainesville firefighter, was holding his 22-month-old son, Knox, when the incident occurred. According to the Gainesville Police Department, 68-year-old Teresa Parker was trying to pull into a handicap parking space when she reportedly “inadvertently accelerated” over the curb. The vehicle struck both father and son.
Gainesville Police Capt. Kevin Holbrook described the scene as a complete tragedy, noting that the father had his back turned and never saw the vehicle coming. Little Knox was airlifted to a children's hospital in Atlanta, but he sadly passed away from his injuries just before his second birthday. His father, Samuel, suffered only minor injuries.
Remembering Knox
Beyond the headlines, Knox Skelton was a kid with major main character energy. According to an obituary, he was obsessed with monster trucks, loved hitting the park, and practically ran the fire station like it was his own. He was also a huge fan of snacks and loved "driving" the fire truck alongside his dad.
Why it matters
The Gainesville Fire Department is calling on the community to show up for Samuel and his wife, Kiana, during this impossible time. In a statement, the department noted that while first responders train for the worst, nothing prepares you for when the unthinkable happens to one of your own. Police are still investigating the crash, which Capt. Holbrook emphasized was an accident where the driver had no intention of hurting anyone.
