Child hit by car, dies; driver stabbed

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A toddler died after being struck by a pickup truck and the driver was then stabbed by the child's stepfather, police said.

Grand Rapids police told 24 Hour News 8 they were alerted around 7:20 p.m. Monday to the situation in the 200 block of Spencer Street on the northeast side of town.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Javonni Conley ran into the street to retrieve a ball and was struck by a passing truck. Police said the driver was not able to avoid the child.

The stepfather of the child saw the accident. He ran out of a house and stabbed the driver of the pickup truck, police said. The stepfather then fled the scene but was later arrested.

Police said Javonni received serious head injuries. He was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

The driver was also hospitalized for treatment to chest wounds. He is expected to survive.

The family briefly spoke with 24 Hour News 8 at the scene and said the child was the youngest of six children.

Police have not identified Javonni's stepfather. But the child's mother told 24 Hour News 8 he is 22-year-old Dierre Coteat, who is currently in the Kent County Correctional Facility on felony assault charges. His criminal background includes six counts of felony robbery in Ohio during the past few years.