DES MOINES, Iowa — A two-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital after being hit by a car Tuesday morning, and Des Moines police are crediting attentive driving behavior for preventing what could have been a fatal crash.

The crash happened shortly before 7:00 a.m. in the 3600 block of E. University Avenue, according to Sgt. Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department. A preliminary investigation found the child unexpectedly ran into the roadway from the south and began crossing E. University Avenue to the north.

A vehicle was traveling westbound in the inside lane and the driver saw the child and stopped. A driver traveling westbound in the outside lane couldn’t see the child until he entered her lane. The driver tried to stop and steer away from the boy but wasn’t able to avoid a collision.

The child suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He is expected to survive.

Sgt. Parizek said, “Investigators with the Traffic Unit credit the attentive driving behavior and quick reactions of both westbound drivers for preventing what could have been a tragic fatality crash.”

The investigation into the crash continues.