PRYOR, Okla. — A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded Tuesday evening in Pryor when a 1-year-old child died after being struck by a vehicle that was backing out of a private driveway, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Authorities said the incident occurred at approximately 8:41 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 69 and West 520 Road. Preliminary information indicates that a driver was attempting to back out of a driveway in order to turn around and leave the property when the vehicle struck the child.

Emergency responders were immediately dispatched to the scene, with multiple agencies assisting in the response, including the Pryor Creek Police Department, Pryor Creek Fire Department, MESTA, the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, GRDA Police, and the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service.

Despite rapid intervention and extensive life-saving efforts, the child sustained critical injuries. The child was transported for emergency medical treatment but tragically did not survive.

Pryor Creek Police Chief Jeremy Cantrell said officers initially encountered a vehicle transporting the injured child to the hospital and immediately began rendering aid alongside other responding agencies. He confirmed that, despite the coordinated efforts of first responders and medical personnel, the child was later pronounced deceased.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have not released the identity of the child or the driver involved, and no charges have been announced as investigators continue to gather evidence and determine the full sequence of events.

In a public statement, Chief Cantrell expressed his condolences to the child’s family and asked community members to keep both the family and the first responders involved in their thoughts and prayers.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for everyone affected,” Cantrell said, emphasizing the emotional toll such incidents have on families, emergency personnel, and the broader community.

As the investigation remains ongoing, officials are urging patience while they work to establish all the facts surrounding the accident.

The Pryor community is now mourning the unimaginable loss of a young life, with many offering support and sympathy to the grieving family during this difficult time.