Early Tuesday morning in Slidell, Louisiana, a family’s worst nightmare came true. Five-year-old Carson Lawson was fatally struck by his grandmother, 55-year-old Kristen Anders, just as he waited for his school bus in the driveway.
According to the Slidell Police Department, the collision happened around 7:00 a.m. in the Spartan Trace subdivision. Anders had backed her 2016 GMC Yukon into the driveway and, while leaving for work, failed to see Carson standing right in front of the vehicle. Witnesses say she was unaware of his presence until it was too late.
Police later determined that Anders was under the influence of alcohol and central nervous system depressants at the time of the crash. She was arrested on the spot and charged with vehicular homicide, according to authorities.
Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau, who said he was personally on the scene, called the tragedy “any parent’s worst nightmare.” He added that the impact has shaken not just the family, but also the first responders who witnessed the heartbreaking aftermath.
Carson’s mother, Abi Combs, broke her silence on social media, calling her son’s death “the most traumatic and devastating scenario” she has ever endured. In a joint Facebook post with his father, Ryan Lawson, she thanked those offering support and asked for privacy as they grieve. The family also plans to hold funeral services both in Slidell and in Jonesboro, Georgia, where part of their extended family lives.
Loved ones remember Carson as a joyful, kindhearted child who loved school and was deeply cherished by his family. Car pools, playdates, and memory posts have since flooded social media—friends and strangers alike offering messages of support and sorrow.
Investigators say the case is still open as they collect more evidence. In the meantime, the law enforcement community continues to rally around the Lawson family, urging people to hold their loved ones a little tighter tonight—because as this family now knows, tragedy can come without warning.
