Iowa man charged after backing over child with lawnmower while intoxicated, police say

DES MOINES, Iowa – A northeastern Iowa man was arrested after allegedly running a young girl over with a riding lawnmower, police said. The girl sustained serious injuries. 

Officials responded around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday to a 911 call of a child hit by a lawnmower in Hawkeye, Iowa, according to a news release from the Fayette County Sheriff's Office. 

First responders at the scene found a 3-year-old girl with serious injuries.

Tanner J. Miller, 23, who was driving the lawnmower, was charged with operating while intoxicated, first offense, and serious injury by vehicle, officials said. 

Officials believe Miller backed over the child while mowing. He was intoxicated at the time, the sheriff's office said, and his blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit.

An investigation is ongoing.

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