South Carolina Man Drove Under Influence, Then Killed Toddler Who Unexpectedly Wandered Into Road

The Anderson Police Department recently booked a South Carolina truck driver for driving under the influence. According to authorities, his negligence resulted in the death of a toddler who had accidentally wandered onto the road.

62-year-old David Ronald Metz lost control of his vehicle and fatally collided with a toddler on the road. The little one had unknowingly followed his father, who went to throw trash. The 14-month-old boy ended up wandered into the road, where the truck crashed into him.

On April 13, first responders responded to a report of a pedestrian crash involving serious injuries. The incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. near a bar on South Murray Avenue. Officers at the scene found a child with critical injuries after being struck by a vehicle. He was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.

According to reports, the child had followed his father without him realizing it when he went to dispose of garbage. Christopher Rodrigo Perez Tapia exited his parents’ workplace through the back door and wandered into the roadway. Investigators said the child’s parents were cleaning the restaurant and that his father was unaware the boy had followed him.

The child wandered into the roadway, where he was struck by Metz’s truck. Witnesses said the crash happened within seconds, leaving little time to react. After the collision, the suspect reportedly continued driving before turning around and returning to the scene.

Meanwhile, the coroner’s office confirmed that Christopher Rodrigo died from his injuries. A spokesperson added that the accident might have been avoided if the driver had not been under the influence.

Alyssa Whitfield said, “Yes, the child was in the roadway when he was hit. But at the same time, if the driver had not been under the influence, he may have reacted a little bit quicker and switched lanes.”

After his arrest, David Ronald Metz was charged with a felony count of DUI involving death. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Anderson Police Department and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

During a recent bond hearing, the presiding judge set bail at $60,000. Metz was also ordered to wear a GPS tracking device if released. The judge further prohibited the defendant from contacting the victim’s family and barred him from returning to the crash site.

Meanwhile, the parents of the toddler did not officially attend the bail hearing of their son’s alleged killer. They instead had a victim advocate from the police department to appear on their behalf who demanded that the criminal be held without bond.

Another report by the Anderson Police Department highlighted the plight of the family after the demise of their son. Detective McKindra Bibb remarked, “The family is devastated. They are unable even to pull it together enough to come to court this afternoon. It's been less than 24 hours since their baby died."