10-year-old girl hit and killed by driver in Webster, Massachusetts
A candlelight vigil was held Monday night for Marleigh Guevara, a 10-year-old girl who was hit and killed by a driver in Webster, Massachusetts over the weekend.
Webster police said they responded to the pedestrian crash on School Street shortly before 1 p.m. on Saturday. A passerby who had their own automated external defibrillator attempted CPR before first responders arrived and took over, but Guevara later died of her injuries at the hospital.
Webster mourns 4th grader's death
Police closed off the road in front of the family's home for a vigil Monday night. It is the same street where Marleigh was hit by the car. Dozens of people handed out candles and hugged one another as stories were shared.
"Marleigh was energetic, always had a smile. Someone that was always, always loveable. She had love for others," the family's pastor, Esteban Carrasco, Jr. said.
Known as a great student, hard worker and a loving sister, her friends and family pledged to honor her legacy. "My heart goes out, I really hope the family gets help when they need it and everyone comes together as a community," said Ashley Heath, a family friend.
She was a student at Park Avenue Elementary School, where grief counselors were meeting with students and staff on Monday.
"We are heartbroken at the loss of one of our young 4th grade students, Marleigh, whose life was tragically cut short in an accident," Webster Supt. Monique Pierangeli said in a statement. "At just 10 years old, Marleigh was a bright light in our school community, full of promise, curiosity, and joy."
The girl's mother, Heather Pereira, wrote that Marleigh "had the kind of light you don't come across often."
"She wasn't just my daughter… she was a sister to four beautiful girls who now have to grow up without her," Pereira said. "They are heartbroken, confused, and trying to understand something that doesn't make sense."
At the vigil, they remembered the little girl who brought so much joy to so many.
"Simply to carry her legacy. To carry her heart," Carrasco said. "Marleigh was one to give a smile. Marleigh was one to open her heart and love on others. Even when there was trouble or hate or problems."
"These are the worst calls we go to"
Police identified the driver as a 35-year-old from Southbridge. Police and the Worcester County District Attorney's Office are investigating the crash but have not announced if any charges are being filed. No other details about the crash have been released.
"There was no signs of anything in terms of intoxication. She had an active driver' license," Webster Police Chief Michael Shaw said, adding that it was a difficult call for his officers to handle. "A lot of officers here have children. These are the worst calls we go to."
Jason D'Andrea lives near where the crash happened. He said he heard a loud bang.
"Bang. Just bang. And I'm praying to myself in my head," he said. "It took so long. I mean, when you're sitting there looking at a child and a car with a big dent in it and they're not moving, time's ticking and every second feels like forever."
"When a community tragically loses a child, it loses a piece of its soul," the police department said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to Marleigh's family and friends as they endure this terrible loss."
