Late Friday night turned into a nightmare for one local family on the east side of town. Five-year-old Gem Scott was out walking with her family when everything changed in a matter of seconds. They were trying to get across East Broad Street near Outerbelt Street when a car hit the little girl.
It was late, dark, and the road was busy. Gem was right there with her loved ones, just trying to cross the street like any other night. Before anyone could react, an eastbound vehicle came down the road and struck her. The sudden shock of the crash left her family in complete disbelief on the side of the road.
Emergency responders got to the scene fast. First responders worked quickly to stabilize the little girl and get her to Mount Carmel East Hospital. Everyone was praying for a miracle as medics rushed her through the doors in critical condition.
Sadly, the doctors could not save her. Gem died from her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. Her sudden passing broke the hearts of her family and left a heavy shadow over the whole neighborhood. A little girl with her whole life ahead of her was suddenly gone.
Community members across Columbus are feeling the deep pain of this loss today. When a five-year-old child dies like this, it hits everybody right in the chest. Neighbors and friends are wrapping their arms around Gem’s family as they deal with an unimaginable amount of grief.
This terrible tragedy is a harsh reminder of how dangerous busy streets can be after dark. Nighttime traffic makes it tough for drivers to see, and it only takes a split second for a normal stroll to turn fatal. Local officials are reminding everyone to stay extra careful on major roadways when the sun goes down.
While the family grieves, local police are still looking into what happened. The Columbus Division of Police Accident Investigation Unit wants to talk with anyone who saw the crash unfold. If you have any info or witnessed the event, you can call investigators at 614-645-4767 or leave an anonymous tip with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-4777.
Leave a Reply