Boy struck and killed by father's motorcycle

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 5, 2008 at 1:42 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 5, 2008 at 1:42 PM EST

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Police in Peoria are investigating the death of a 4-year-old boy who was killed when he was struck by a motorcycle ridden by his own father.

Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll says Ashton Wells of East Peoria was riding his bicycle in the parking lot of a lumberyard Saturday afternoon when he was struck by a motorcycle being operated by his father, Michael Wells.

Michael Wells or a witness at the scene called authorities, but apparently got cut off and decided to take Ashton to a clinic to receive emergency medical treatment on their own.

The child was not breathing when he reached the clinic, so an ambulance took him to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Ingersoll says an autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

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Information from: Journal Star, http://pjstar.com

Thursday, Oct 16 at 1:09 AM Mike In Pekin wrote ...

Why would you take your child to an event like this? who was wathcing the child? both parents should be arrested and Jailed. They put 2 wheels on a motorcycle for a reason. I however cannot imagine what it will like for this young man to wake up everyday knowing he killed his own son because he was stupid!

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 6:54 AM annoyoma wrote ...

and the dad??

Monday, Oct 6 at 12:31 PM A child Advocate wrote ...

I know we're not supposed to criticize at a time like this because accidents do happen. Let me simply say that the kid had great life, what little he got to live of it. Now would you people quit rushing your children to grow up! Believe me, it goes fast enough with out jumping ahead!

Monday, Oct 6 at 10:25 AM Politico wrote ...

From the Peoria Journal Star: "Michael Wells was performing a wheelie on his motorcycle in the parking lot about 5:30 p.m. Saturday when he struck his son, Ashton, who was riding a bicycle nearby. The East Peoria man, a forklift driver by trade, was arrested later Saturday evening for aggravated reckless driving and operating a motorcycle on one wheel, among other charges." The son had just learned to ride without training wheels. He darted out on his bicycle and no one could catch him.

Sunday, Oct 5 at 7:12 PM bee wrote ...

so sad.

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