Editors note: This story has been updated.
An investigation in August 2024 revealed that the key to a motor grader was left in the machine, allowing a boy to operate it. According to a report on 13WMAZ, an investigation by the Houston County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office determined that the key was not in the ignition, but was inside a box inside the cab where the boy found it.
Harper Thomas was hanging onto the ladder of the grader when it started moving, fell, and was crushed by the machine.
According to the report, Harper's family and lawyer said that they plan “to take legal action against the companies developing the neighborhood, including the owner of the motor grader.”
This story was originally published on December 13, 2023.
A nine-year-old girl was killed by a motor grader in Bonaire, Georgia, on December 11. An incident report filed by the Houston County Sheriff's Office said the girl was dead at the scene after being run over by the grader.
The report indicated that the grader had driven over a concrete curb before coming to rest. WMAZ news video showed a Caterpillar 140H grader with with its left rear tires in the unpaved road and the rest of the machine on the other side of the curb. Tire tracks can be seen behind the grader.
CSM Construction owns the motor grader.
WMAZ reported that the girl was a twin, and authorities say a witness told them two other children were playing in the area.
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According to another WMAZ news report, the machines had not been working in the subdivision, although four houses are currently under construction there. New roads are also being constructed in the subdivision.
Investigators are not releasing information about how the accident happened or whether keys were left in the machine. The report said the owner of the grader has been interviewed.
