12-year-old girl hit, killed by car while walking to school recess

SEATTLE (KOMO) - Parents and neighbors rushed to a Seattle school Thursday after hearing a 12-year-old student died in a crash at the campus.

District officials said the girl was walking to recess shortly after lunch when she was hit at Washington Middle School.

“Preliminarily, we believe the vehicle was rolling backwards, the driver having failed to place it completely in park, so the vehicle was rolling backwards down a hill when it fatally struck a 12-year-old student,” Seattle police’s Assistant Chief Todd Kibbee said.

According to Seattle police, the driver was evaluated for any possible drug or alcohol impairment following standard investigation procedures.

“We are heartbroken by this tragedy. We are working to provide support to the families, the students and the staff. We have a care team here in place to make sure we’re meeting the needs of our students, families and staff,” Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones said.

The school sheltered in place while police investigated, and students were dismissed early for the day.

Many parents reuniting with their kids were seen walking home, holding hands tightly.

A woman who lives nearby said the community is shocked because nothing like this has happened there before.

“Just in shock,” Tiffanie, the neighborhood resident, added. “I saw a lot of the kids walking past us crying and had their head down in disbelief. A lot of the parents in disbelief, come to pick up your child and get this news.”

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