Lomas de Zamora police chase results in death of two-year-old boy

A two-year-old boy, identified as Julián Emiliano Benítez, died following a collision involving a Buenos Aires provincial police patrol car in the Ingeniero Budge area of Lomas de Zamora. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon during a high-speed pursuit of two suspects on a motorcycle.

The patrol car struck a Dodge 1500 vehicle in which the child was traveling with his father, Julio Benítez. Witnesses reported that the police vehicle was traveling at high speeds and was not using its sirens at the time of the impact. The child was reportedly not using a child restraint system and was ejected from the vehicle during the collision. The father sustained injuries and remains hospitalized.

Authorities have initiated a criminal investigation led by Prosecutor Patricio Pérsico. The police officer driving the patrol car has been detained and charged with aggravated involuntary manslaughter and breach of official duties. While the suspects being pursued managed to escape, the investigation is ongoing with assistance from Gendarmería Nacional and the Internal Affairs Audit.