RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) — Raleigh police confirm the girl who was accidentally hit by a truck pulling a float during the Raleigh Christmas Parade has died.
Police said the accident happened around 10:14 a.m. near the intersection of Hillsborough Street and Boylan Avenue when the driver said he lost control of the truck. According to the police, he hit the child at low speed.
Despite lifesaving efforts, the child died. No other parade participants were injured.
The driver, Landan Christopher Glass, 20, is charged with motor vehicle death, careless and reckless driving, improper equipment, unsafe movement and carrying a firearm on parade.
People said they heard the driver screaming from the window of the truck that he had lost control and could not stop the vehicle.
“I just saw them go down the street really fast and you can see it’s not like gas, like they didn’t rob, it rolled, kind of rolled down the street. They were going crazy, yelling for people to get out. As you can see they were panicking,” said an officer The Parade Melissa Stephens.
A group of people, including several first responders, ran to the truck towing the float to try to stop it.
“People came over and helped catch him, slow him down a little bit. They tried to slow him down when he got to that point,” John Jones said.
Christy Curtis, Owner, CC & Dance Complex released a statement Saturday evening:
“We are devastated. Our dance family is a close-knit group and today our hearts are broken. We are working closely with the authorities as they determine what happened and why.”
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Anne Baldwin said her heart goes out to the girl who was injured in the parade. She expressed it Sadness in a post on Twitter.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of the young girl who lost her life today in the Raleigh Christmas Parade. Our prayers are with her family, friends and the dancers from CC The Community Co. is here for you as we try to understand and process this shared tragedy.”
Governor Roy Cooper issued a statement on the matter Twitter Shares his condolences to the family.
“Kristin and I are devastated by the tragedy in today’s Raleigh Christmas Parade. In a joyous season on what should be a happy day, we mourn this family and their friends while keeping them in our prayers. – RC”
“Our hearts and prayers are really with the family right now and just with all those who were with this event. That’s just all we can do is ask people to pray now and lift them up,” Jennifer Martin with Local Shop Raleigh said.
Raleigh police statement about the incident:
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and to those who witnessed this tragic event. The victim’s family requested privacy during this very difficult time.”
Raleigh’s Christmas parade has been officially canceled because of the incident.
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