6-year-old girl dies after being hit by car in Tonawanda

TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — A 6-year-old girl died after being hit by a car Monday evening.

Town of Tonawanda police said the girl was trying to cross the street on Canterbury Lane when she was struck by a vehicle. The accident happened around 7:50 p.m.

According to a GoFundMe created by Be A Blessing Buffalo, the 6-year-old’s name is Carmella Lopez. The GoFundMe, which has raised thousands of dollars, describes Lopez as a shining light, full of joy, love and laughter.

She is also said to leave behind two sisters, a little brother, a father and a mother who is seven months pregnant.

GoFundMe

Tracey Maciejewski lives far from the accident.

“It’s so tragic and so sad and it’s apparently preventable,” Maciejewski said.

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Maciejewski said she often sees the children playing.

“I can’t remember how many times these little girls and boys waved at me. What happens when I pull out of my driveway because they’re on their scooter or on their bike and they go up and down the sidewalk and they chase each other and they laugh and they have a good time,” she said.

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Town of Tonawanda Police Capt. Joseph Milosich said the 6-year-old girl was taken to Kenmore Mercy Hospital where she later died from her injuries.

He said the driver of the vehicle involved is cooperating with police.

“We know the grief here, we know the loss and we know there are no real words to express so we want to offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends,” Milosich said.

He said no further details were being provided at this time.

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GoBike Buffalo communications director Kevin Heffernan said it was the third pedestrian fatality in three weeks. In early May, a 21-year-old man was killed while riding a skateboard after being struck by a car on Niagara Street.

RELATED: Police search for driver who hit and killed skateboarder on Niagara Street in Buffalo

Last week, another 21-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Union Road in Cheektowaga.

RELATED: Buffalo man killed in hit-and-run crash on Union Road in Cheektowaga

He said it was time to see a change.

“So it’s no longer acceptable. That we just tolerate this high level of mortality on our roads. If you ask anyone, they call it a crisis. They call the way people are driving at high speeds crazy. And what we need is for police and politicians to speak in the same way,” Heffernan said. “Our entire team is obviously devastated to hear the news of the death of the six-year-old girl who absolutely should be alive today.”

Maciejewski said she often sees people stealing on her street and this accident was a wake-up call for what we’ve seen in Western New York.

“Because if you tell me you think driving 40 miles an hour down my street is more important than this little girl’s life. I don’t think I agree with you on that,” a- she said.

If you have any information regarding this incident, you are asked to call the Town of Tonawanda Police Department at 716-879-6614. You can also call the confidential tip line at 716-879-6606.