A 3-year-old child was behind the wheel of a truck that hit and killed a 2-year-old girl over the weekend in California, authorities said.
The 2-year-old girl was standing near a taco stand at the edge of a parking lot at a gas station in the 300 block of West Street in Woodland, northwest of Sacramento, when she was struck Saturday afternoon, Woodland police said.
Police responded to the scene shortly before 4 p.m. local time and determined the toddler had been hit and taken by family members to a hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Officers found a man at the scene who was the owner of a truck that was left running while it was parked at a gas pump.
A 3-year-old child was in the back seat of the truck in a car seat. When the man entered the gas station store, the 3-year-old got out of the car seat and into the driver’s seat, police said. Then the truck began moving and struck the 2-year-old.
Her family identified her as Ailahni Sanchez Martinez.
“She was always happy. she loved to dance and brought joy to the family,” her mother, Rosa Martinez, told NBC affiliate KCRA of Sacramento, noting that Ailahni was one month away from her third birthday.
Ailahni's family was setting up their taco stand when they saw the truck moving backward toward her.
“I heard a scream and ran because I saw it going toward my daughter, but it was too late,” said her father, Sandro Sanchez.
He said that “what happened is not right,” adding: “We want justice. … I lost my daughter because of someone else.”
An online fundraiser to aid with the family’s expenses has been set up.
“Everyone involved has cooperated in this investigation,” police said.
No arrests have been made in the investigation, which continues. When it’s completed, the case will be forwarded to the local district attorney’s office for review.
