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Drone Crashes Injuring Baby In Pasadena

PASADENA (CBSLA.com) – A baby is recovering from injuries caused by a drone that crashed in Pasadena Saturday.

The 11-month-old child was with her mother on Marengo Avenue near Union Street on Sept. 12 at about 6:30 p.m., when a drone crashed on the ground near them, according to the Pasadena Police Department.

"The mom, who was pushing the stroller, looked down when she heard her daughter crying and noticed that she had a large knot on the top of her head," said Lt. Mike Ingram of the Pasadena Police Department. The flying shrapnel from the quadcopter also caused a large cut to the baby's head.

She was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where she was treated and released. The mother was not injured.

The drone's owner, 24, who has not been identified, rushed to the crash site to find his unmanned aerial vehicle damaged and the child hurt.

He told police he was attending an event in front of City Hall and flying the drone overhead one block away from the crash site when he lost control of it.

Lt. Ingram said people who operate drones need to follow safety guidelines. "Not flying them over congested streets or crowds, flying them at altitudes that wouldn't interfere with regular aviation," he said.

Authorities are now trying to determine if the drone owner violated any laws.

"This was forwarded to the FAA for their review. It could result in a criminal prosecution or it could result in civil fines," Ingram said. "Similar to what happens with laser strikes, they could be fined up to $10,000."

Drones are considered aircraft and subject the FAA regulations and guidelines.

 

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