RALEIGH, NC — A truck pulling a float for a holiday parade in North Carolina crashed Saturday, hitting and killing a girl participating in the event, news outlets reported.
The driver who lost control of the vehicle and hit the child was charged with reckless driving and other violations, Raleigh police said in a press release.
Witnesses told WTVD-TV that people attending the Raleigh Christmas Parade heard the pickup truck driver scream that he had lost control of the vehicle and could not stop it before the crash.
The girl hit by the truck was part of a dance troupe taking part in the holiday parade, The News & Observer reported.
Olivia Bruce, a 14-year-old member of the dance troupe, told the paper the truck almost hit her too.
“We started dancing in the parade, and then suddenly we heard a lot of hooting. And when we went back, we almost saw the truck on our backs, so we turned around,” Bruce said.
No one else on the parade was injured in the collision.
The parade was canceled after the crash. Police advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area.
The driver was one of three occupants towing the float at low speed, police said.
Investigators interviewed the driver, who was charged with death by motor vehicle, careless and reckless driving, use of inappropriate equipment, unsafe movement and carrying a firearm in a parade.
The names and ages of the girl and the pickup driver were not immediately released.
“Our thoughts go out to the victim’s family and those who witnessed this tragic incident,” police said.
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin expressed her condolences to the girl’s family and friends.
“Today started with such joy,” the mayor tweeted. “My heart was so full. And now it hurts for the young girl who was hit in a tragic accident on the parade route.
