Driver arrested after hitting trailer, killing four-year-old

Garden City, Kan.–A 4-year-old child was hit and killed by a vehicle Friday night, and the driver was arrested at the scene.

Around 9:45 p.m. Friday night, the Garden City Police Department, Garden City Fire Department, and Finney County EMS were dispatched to the 600 block of Bancroft Street after multiple calls of an unresponsive person. When they arrived, first responders found an unresponsive 4-year-old boy on a trailer and a Chrysler 200 in a nearby front lawn. The child was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chrysler, identified as 32-year-old Jacob Eichhorn ran from the scene, but residents were able to catch him and keep him there until first responders arrived.

The investigation revealed Eichhorn was driving southbound on Bancroft Street when he struck a trailer parked on the side of the street, and the impact caused the vehicle to become airborne before coming to a rest in the yard. The 4-year-old boy was on the trailer when it was struck by the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed Eichhorn showed signs of impairment, and he was arrested and lodged in the Finney County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.

The Garden City Police Department offers its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the child and those impacted by this incident.

*The person(s) involved has not yet been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent. The presumption of innocence shall continue until such time that the person(s) accused may be found guilty by a court of law.*