They left their mom at home, and were walking two blocks up the street to meet up with their dad, who was grocery shopping. The dad was on the phone with the older kid at the time, keeping tabs on them while letting them gain confidence going on their own.

As a parent who struggles not to helicopter my kids, none of this sounds out of line to me. The driver who apparently couldn't react to a kid stepping out unexpectedly, in what sounds like a residential area? I want to know why he's got a license.