On Thursday, March 6, an unnamed 12-year-old girl in Seattle was struck by a rolling vehicle while she was on her way to recess. Reportedly, the vehicle was unoccupied at the time. It rolled down the road next to the school after its owner failed to put it in park.
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According to KOMO News, the incident took place at around 1 p.m. on 20th Place South. The street in question is located next to Washington Middle School. The 12-year-old was walking to recess following the school’s second lunch. All of a sudden, the vehicle, an SUV, struck her, killing the girl.
A Seattle Police Department spokesperson, Todd Kibbee, confirmed to PEOPLE that the SUV’s owner was a 51-year-old woman. Reportedly, the woman failed to put her vehicle in park before she got out. This resulted in the vehicle rolling for about 75 yards down before fatally striking the 12-year-old.
“This is obviously a tragic situation for the community here, for the schools,” Kibbee said during a press conference. “And I just offer our support to Superintendent [Brent] Jones and the rest of the Seattle Public Schools and all their families. If we can do anything for him and them, we will certainly do so.”
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Following the tragic incident, Washington Middle School Principal Adrian Manriquez confirmed that the victim was a sixth grader at the school. The middle school remained open on Friday for “students who need support in coping with this tragedy,” according to a letter sent to staff and parents, written by Manriquez. Additionally, Telehealth support was offered throughout Friday for any student not attending school…