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Backhoe crushes 3-year-old

Tuesday, June 9, 2009
By David Melson

A 3-year-old child died from injuries suffered after he was run over by a backhoe operated by his father near Unionville early Saturday night, authorities said.

The child was identified as Hunter Roberts, son of Edward "Eddie" and Erin Jackson Roberts, according to an obituary notice from Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home, of Murfreesboro.

The child, whose name was not released by the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, ran behind the backhoe unseen by his father, Deputy Jimmy Rhodes said.

"It occurred on Davis Lane, off Pepper Hill Road, at a home under construction," Rhodes said.

"The father was on a mini-excavator doing landscaping work on the driveway. Three children were present.

"He was looking over his right shoulder while backing up and the child ran under the left wheel. The machine was too large for the father to have felt him."

The child was alive at the scene, emergency personnel said, but was suffering from what Rhodes termed "fatal head and chest injuries."

CPR was being performed at the scene before ambulance personnel arrived, according to police radio traffic.

"Ambulance personnel exhausted their efforts," Rhodes said.

Funeral services were scheduled to be held at 1 p.m. today, according to the obituary.

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My heart and prays go out to this family.

-- Posted by johnnyreb on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 8:55 AM

My heart weeps for this family. You are in my prayers.

-- Posted by honda14 on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 8:55 AM

This family is in my prayers. I pray that the Lord brings them comfort and peace in this tragic time of sorrow. As sad as it is, the old saying is true..."Only the good die young." And I'm sure he was the best that ever could be. Rest in peace little one.

-- Posted by jtjustice30 on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 9:11 AM

..."Only the good die young." And I'm sure he was the best that ever could be. Rest in peace little one.

-- Posted by jtjustice30 on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 9:11 AM

Amen

-- Posted by lucky2be on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 9:55 AM

How sad. My the God of peace and mercy give you the family comfort in this time of sorrow.

-- Posted by Mama52 on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 1:09 PM

my heart goes out to the mother and father.. i have been here.. lost my 2 yr old 3 yrs ago on june 3 2006 the same way but with a tow truck.. it take everything i could do today went someone call me and told me i start to cry.. if the farmily needs anything feel free too email me.. god bless...

-- Posted by singlemotherof4 on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 3:35 PM

all these parents need to look out for where they bring there children and where they let them play.

-- Posted by bengal on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 3:49 PM

My deepest sympathy to the father and the family for their lost, I pray God brings you peace and comfort.

-- Posted by Momof3&3step&1gran on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 3:51 PM

I pray the family will find peace and comfort in this time of sorrow.You have my deepest sympathy.Please know that you are in the prayers of many.I do have to say to bengal,whoever you are;That post was disrespectful,and quite ignorant. I'm not a member of the family,but that offended me.

-- Posted by dkman371 on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 8:54 PM

I agree with dkman371. No matter how careful you think you are, unfortunate things can happen. My heart and prayers go out to this family. I would say to this family what I said to my sister when her little boy was killed by a car : "Hold all your good memories in your heart, they can't take that away from you." I hugged her as hard as I could, wishing I could take her pain away. Sadly, 8 years later she and her husband were also killed in a car accident. As I read this article tears streamed down my face for the unimaginable pain this family is surely going through. I hope they can take some comfort in knowing so many people care and are thinking of them. Certainly now is not a time to place blame on anyone, nor any other time for this family. Those of you that choose to judge, be thankful nothing like this has happened to you.

-- Posted by takingalook on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 9:09 PM

This is a very sad story. I do not know Hunter's parents but this does bother me because I have a son the same age as he was. I can only imagine this happening to one of my children.I heard about this horrible accident the next morning because my best friend is friends with Erin. I am so sorry for your loss. We will all say a prayer for your family and also Little Hunter. May the klord be with you all as you work through this loss.

-- Posted by <3mybabies on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 11:06 PM

I weap for this family. I didn't know them, but anytime you lose a little one, it break my heart. Just look back at have many little has died some way or another. The little boy that fell out of his father truck, the little girl that was in the van. Now this little one. I know all these families can set and think about the good things, also something they had done or said. Which you always will, but God had a reason to take the children home, so don't blame the parents. If I had to lose a samll child I would whether know it had to happen here than over in another country fighting in a WAR. Because by the time the children had got grown we might be in war here. So God Bless All These Families, and just remember the good thoughts and happy times you had while they was here with ya'll.

-- Posted by tnwoman1948 on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 11:54 PM

I'm sure he makes a beautiful angel...lift this family up in your prayers.

-- Posted by justmytwocentsworth on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 8:25 AM

I know this family and they are such a good hearted loving family. Erin come in our store all the time and that little boy was such a ball full of energy. He was always smiling and happy. I am so sorry for your lose Erin and Eddie and I know that is something that will always hurt. Just remember how special he always was and how much joy he brought to your lives. You are all in my prayers and thoughts.

-- Posted by MominDooLittle on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 8:25 AM

This Family was the best to Hunter.. This is my best friend's baby.. The daddy never would hurt him or the other kids.. This was such an accident.. They are the best parents..

-- Posted by Lovebug78 on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 10:46 AM

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ALL THEIR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS.WE DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MANY FRIENDS WE HAVE UNTIL SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED.THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!

-- Posted by HUNTERSFAMILY on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 12:36 PM

My heart is breaking for this family as I sit here first reading the artical then reading the comments. To everyone with a heart we say God Bless this family in their time of sorrow and pain. And as for the heartless people like bengal who all they do is judge and blame I hope you never know the pain this family is going through. I do I lost my son when he was 3, he would have been 18 this year and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of him and wonder what he would look like today, what he would want to do when he grew up, or what kind of man he would be. But then I do what many have said I sit back and remember all the good days, the many laughs he laughed, the many hugs & kisses he gave, and all the worderful joy he brought to my life as well as others. So to this family I simply say remember all of these things. The pain never goes away but it does eventually get easier. I know from experience that isn't what you want to hear, but it is true. God Bless you and eveyone who knew your son Hunter>

-- Posted by Sweetweetybaby77 on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 2:00 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My family personally knows your hurt as far as losing a child..I lost my five month old son on May 22nd. God bless you all!!!!!

-- Posted by stune09 on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 2:23 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words that anyone can say to take your pain away. You have neighbors that are here for you and we want to help you in any way that we can.

I live a few doors down from you and I am here for you guys if you need anything.

Kelly Parker

-- Posted by Kelly09 on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 10:45 PM

To the Roberts family: I pray that you know you are supported and loved. Everyone who knows you or knows anyone who knows you, knows that you love your boys and are wonderful parents. It is not even a question of anything anyone did or did not do. Know that even though you don't always feel it or know it, people are praying and supporting your family. Tonight at Barfield park a group of 6 men 6 women and 4 children gathered and cried out to Jesus for peace for your family. We are so very sorry. We are weak, but he is strong. God Bless you and all of yours.

-- Posted by FisherFamily on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 10:47 PM

Bengal...I pray you do not have children if this is your encouragement in a time of despair. If you do have children let me make the suggestion that you look up the word compassion and add it to your vocabulary. Your point is obvious and valid for every parent. It has it's place, but this is not it. In this case you were implying neglegence of Hunter's parents of whom you have no knowledge thereof. Your comment is all together inappropriate and very disrespectful. I am not family, but I am a mother and it VERY much offended me.

-- Posted by FisherFamily on Wed, Jun 10, 2009, at 11:10 PM

my dad and brother both worked w eddie so we have known him for awhile. our prayers go out to him and his family.im sorry for your loss. rest in peace little one.

-- Posted by Kelsey09 on Thu, Jun 11, 2009, at 8:53 AM

WE ARE NIEGHBORS OF THE ROBERTS FAMILY, WE ARE TERRIBLY SORRY FOR THIER LOSS.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK AT HOME SOON, THIS ENTIRE NEGHBORHOOD IS BEHIND YOU ALL.

-- Posted by POPCORN on Fri, Jun 12, 2009, at 5:40 PM

I am not family, and I do not know these people from the best of my knowledge. Bengal...this isn't the time or place for a comment like that, your comment has even offended me. God please watch over this family, the preacher who officiated my sons family read this scripture and I wanted to share it with you: "Beware that you don't look down on any of these little ones. For their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father." Matthew 18:10

-- Posted by stune09 on Sat, Jun 13, 2009, at 12:53 AM

TRESA..EDDIE..AND ALL OF THE ROBERTS FAMILY..WE THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY!!WE WISH THAT WE COULD TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE PAIN THAT YOU ARE FEEING..PLEASE KNOW THAT IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU..WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!!

-- Posted by THE MCCLURE FAMILY on Sun, Jun 14, 2009, at 12:15 AM

I am part of this family and Bengal this is not the time or place to place a comment like this. And i hope you NEVER have to go through something as TERRIBLE as this and lose someone so GREAT to your life. Hunter Roberts was and still is my favorite lil cousin. I love them all the same but Hunter had just something that i adored. And i am still praying for Eddie and Erin. And i cant try to imagine what Eddie,Erin,Tyler,Logan are going through and not only them the whole Roberts Family and everyone elso around us. I will NEVER forget our Lil Batman!! And he is in a better place playing with more kids than we and think about. My heart and love goes out for Eddie. Eddie your the best and i love you so much and your in my prayers!! Love you all and we will get throught this and he will be happy!!!!

-- Posted by Softball13 on Mon, Jun 22, 2009, at 2:05 PM