Centreville Toddler Struck by TV During Car Accident Dies

A 16-month-old Centreville boy has died after being struck by an unsecured television during a car accident. The accident occurred on Friday night after an accident in Alorton in which he was hit by the TV in the back seat, according to police.

Marshawn Billops passed away at St. Louis Children’s Hospital almost 5 hours after the car he was in crashed into a light pole at about 3:30 pm in the 3700 block of Bond Avenue. The unsecured television was in the backseat and hit the boy as it flew out of the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero, causing severe head injuries. The television was an older model flat screen that weighed nearly 80 pounds, according to Alorton Fire Chief Carlos Darough.

The boy’s mother and his young sister also suffered minor injuries and were able to get out of the vehicle on their own. Marshawn was trapped inside and had to be rescued. Due to the severity of his wounds, Darough said he and a bystander helped to rush the child a few blocks to Touchette Regional Hospital in Darough’s fire department SUV. The boy was later flown to St. Louis Children’s Hospital where he died.

Police still aren’t sure why the vehicle struck the light pole, but a tractor-trailer had to swerve to avoid another collision. According to Darough, the boy’s mother did not remember the accident, and authorities are looking into the possibility of a seizure or medical episode.

According to Darough, the boy was in a booster seat, although he was too young and should have been in an infant safely seat. Police are still investigating the accident.