Parents of Toddler Killed by Dementia-Stricken Driver Share Their Heartbreak

Edinburgh: The parents of a little boy, Xander, who tragically lost his life, are speaking out. He was just three years old when a car driven by a 91-year-old woman with dementia struck him. This heartbreaking incident happened on June 30, 2020, while he was with his mom, Victoria.

Xander suffered severe injuries and sadly passed away just 42 minutes after the accident at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. His parents, Paul and Victoria, are devastated. They feel like their entire world was turned upside down in an instant.

Victoria shared how hard it has been. She said, “I don’t know how we coped. We didn’t want to be here without him.” They have supportive family and friends, which helps them get through each day. Paul added that their home was once filled with laughter and joy, but now it feels empty.

He described the silence that followed the tragedy. “I just sat at the window, staring into space for months,” he recalled. The couple is still in shock, and the pain is hard to put into words. They believe that if there had been better regulations, their son might still be alive.

A Fatal Accident Inquiry revealed that the driver shouldn’t have been behind the wheel due to her condition. The sheriff recommended changes to the current system, where older drivers self-declare their fitness to drive. Paul is urging the government to prioritize these changes.

In 2019, the same driver was involved in another accident. Although she faced prosecution for Xander’s death, she passed away in 2021. Paul and Victoria want to ensure that no other family has to go through this. They’re appealing for action to prevent future tragedies.