Eddie Espinoza

A 7-year-old Thornton girl escaped a hot car by breaking a window with a mallet after her grandfather left her alone in a vehicle during 90-degree weather. The incident highlights the risk of pediatric vehicular heatstroke, with 12 U.S. deaths so far this year and seven in Colorado since 1998. The National Safety Commission reports an average of 37 child hot-car deaths annually, often caused by forgetful caregivers.