Melanie McDonald, 2, has died after she ran into a street and was hit by a truck Monday evening in Kansas City, Kan., according to police.
The 2-year-old’s mother had chased after her and was also hit by the truck, leaving her critically injured.
“This was purely an accident,” said Officer Jonathon Westbrook, a spokesman for the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department. “The driver was obeying the speed limit. He was not under the influence.”
The accident happened shortly before 7 p.m. Monday near North Fourth Street and Quindaro Boulevard.
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Police determined from their initial investigation that the driver of the truck was headed west on Quindaro when Melanie ran into the street. The mother chased into the street after her.
The truck struck both of them, critically injuring them. Emergency crews rushed them to hospitals, where Melanie later died from her injuries.
It was unknown what, if anything, prompted Melanie to run into the street, Westbrook said.
“The child had gotten away from her mom like kids do and they both ran into the street,” he said.
The driver immediately pulled over after the accident and stayed at the scene. He was cooperating with investigators, police said.
The accident remains under investigation by the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department’s Traffic Support Unit and Critical Collision Response Team.
Robert A. Cronkleton: 816-234-4261, @cronkb
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