Truck Strikes, Kills Amish Boy Near Fairbank

A young child in Amish country, near Fairbank, has died after being struck by a tanker truck.

The accident happened outside a home in the 1100 block of Buchanan County Road W-13 -- also known as Fairbank-Amish Boulevard -- just before 10 a.m. on Saturday (Aug. 6, 2016).

A tanker truck driven by 38 year old Eric Gilliam of Cedar Rapids, was in the process of leaving the property, when 22 month old Samuel Helmuth ran in front of the truck.

The young boy was struck by one of the front tires of the truck, and pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Buchanan County Sheriff officials, the boy was in a blind spot in front of the vehicle, and the driver could not see him.

The accident occurred at the boy's home.

No charges have been filed.