12-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Struck by Rolling Car While Walking to Recess, Authorities Say

Mar. 15, 2025

Based on preliminary information, police believe that the vehicle, which was not occupied at the time, began “rolling backward” down a hill after the driver “failed to place it completely in park.” The car rolled “approximately 75 yards” before striking the child, Kibbee said, adding that police have not shared additional information about the girl for privacy reasons.

Blue and white Seattle Police Department vehicle parked on street.Getty

Getty

“This is obviously a tragic situation for the community here, for the schools," Kibbee said at the 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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On Thursday, Principal Adrian Manriquez sent a letter to families sharing that the sixth grader was struck while walking to recess and that the school community had been dealing with “the tragic loss of one of our students.”

The letter, which the district shared with PEOPLE, noted that Washington Middle School went into a shelter-in-place after its second lunch before dismissing students early due to “heavy police activity.”

Manriquez also shared mental health resources with students and families.

When asked how the crash transpired during Thursday’s news conference, Jones cited the “active investigation” and said the district takes safety protocols when students travel on campus.

“My heart breaks for those who are grieving,” he added. “Please know we are here to support each other and will do everything we can to help heal and comfort those in need.”

source: people.com