The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a drone accident that injured an 11-month-old girl in Pasadena, California.
Authorities said the baby was being pushed in a stroller by her mother Saturday when she was struck in the head by debris falling from the small, privately-owned drone, which crashed on Marengo Avenue near Union Street about 6:30 p.m., The Los Angeles Times reported.
The baby suffered a large contusion on her forehead and a small cut to the side of her head. She was taken to a hospital and released after receiving treatment, police said. Her mother was also hit by debris from the drone but was not injured.
Police said they found the owner of the drone at the site of the accident. He reportedly told officers that he lost control of the drone while attending an event at Pasadena City Hall.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the drone operator could face fines between $1,000 and $25,000, the Times reported.
The incident comes as the FAA deliberates new rules to allow more non-military drone use in the U.S.
Current regulations limit flying to daytime hours conducted only by U.S. residents age 17 or older. Drone operators would be prohibited under FAA proposals from conducting flights that take the device out of their line of sight, in order to prevent unseen crashes.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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