Vehicle Strikes, Kills 27-Month-Old Girl In YMCA Parking Lot: Police
Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook | Twitter
Haverford Township, Pa. (CBS) – A 27-month old girl has died after being hit by a car in a YMCA parking lot, according to police.
The accident happened at the YMCA located on the 800 block of Eagle Road around 12:25 Saturday afternoon.
"It's just horrible, horrible," said YMCA member Mary Eldridge.
Haverford Township Police Chief John Viola tells Eyewitness News the little girl got away from her mom and sat down in a parking space. A driver pulled through what the chief described to be a double space and struck the toddler. The driver apparently never saw the toddler.
"The mother was trying to wave the car to stop and at that point he pulled through the parking lot and discovered he struck the child," said Deputy Chief Joseph Hagan.
Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA President and CEO Shaun Elliot met with the girl's father.
"It's tough to look at the father who just lost a child. Our heart also goes out to the driver. When we're able to we'll reach out because that individual must feel terrible as well," said Shaun Elliot.
Out of respect of the victim and her family, the YMCA closed its doors at 5:30 p.m.
"There was a large police presence in the parking lot," said YMCA member Richard Johnson.
Word quickly spread to other members.
"Things can change in an instant and I guess that's what happened here. I'm so sorry," said Eldridge.
The girl and driver's names have not yet been released.
The car was impounded.
There are no criminal charges at this time.
Stay with CBSPhilly.com for this developing story.