Baton Rouge Toddler Dies After Falling From Pickup Truck: Car Seat Safety Urged
Child safety advocates say the incident underscores the critical importance of car seats for young children.
BATON ROUGE — The tragic death of one-year-old Nicholas Aguilar has put a spotlight on car seat safety and child passenger protection in Baton Rouge.
Police confirmed that Nicholas was not properly restrained in a car seat when he fell from a Dodge Ram pickup truck on Friday morning at a gas station. Investigators say the truck was turning through the parking lot when the rear passenger door opened, causing Nicholas to fall onto the concrete. The truck’s rear passenger-side tire ran over him, and he later died from his injuries.
The Baton Rouge Police Department has not announced any charges, noting that the investigation is ongoing and currently classified as a traffic accident.
Child safety advocates say the incident underscores the critical importance of car seats for young children.
“All children must be secured in a car seat until they’re big enough or old enough to safely ride without one, starting from the moment they leave the hospital,” said Mark Lambert of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. He stressed that young children are particularly vulnerable in crashes, and proper car seats provide essential protection.
State statistics highlight the risk: In 2024, 13 children under 14 were killed in Louisiana traffic accidents, and only four were properly restrained in car seats.
“Properly restraining a child in a car seat dramatically increases their chances of surviving a crash without serious injury or death,” Lambert said.
Janette Fennell, founder of Kids and Car Safety, said caregivers must follow Louisiana law requiring child restraints. “If a child isn’t buckled up, parents are breaking the law,” she said. Fennell emphasized that a correctly installed car seat would have prevented Nicholas from falling out of the vehicle. She also urged using child locks and following all recommended safety measures.
“This tragedy is a reminder that every child must be secured every time they ride in a vehicle,” Fennell said. “Without proper restraints, children can be seriously injured—or even killed.”
The Baton Rouge Police Department said the investigation into Nicholas Aguilar’s death remains active.
For guidance on proper car seat installation and child passenger safety, parents and caregivers can visit state and national safety resources.
