TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — A 6-year-old girl has died after she was hit by a car Monday evening.
Town of Tonawanda Police say the young girl was trying to cross the street on Canterbury Lane when she was hit 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 is Carmella Lopez. The GoFundMe, which has raised thousands of dollars, describes Lopez as a bright light, full of joy, love and laughter.
It also said she leaves behind two sisters, a little brother, a dad and a mom who is seven months pregnant.
Tracey Maciejewski lives houses away from the crash.
"It's so tragic and it's so sad and it's so seemingly preventable," Maciejewski said.
Maciejewski said she would often see the kids out playing.
"I can't remember how many times these little girls and boys have waved to me. What like when I'm out of my driveway because they're on their scooters or on their bicycles and they're going up and down the sidewalk and they're chasing each other and they're laughing and they're having a great time," she said.
Town of Tonawanda Police Captain Joseph Milosich said the 6-year-old 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 grief here we know loss and we know that there's not any real words that can capture that we want to offer the utmost condolences to the family and friends," Milosich said.
He said no other details are being provided at this time.
GoBike Buffalo's Communication Director, Kevin Heffernan, said this is the third pedestrian death in three weeks. In early May, a 21-year-old was killed on a skateboard after he was hit 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 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's time we see change.
"So it's no longer acceptable. That we just tolerate this high level of death on our roadways. If you ask anyone — they are calling this a crisis. They're calling it crazy the way people are driving the high speeds. And what we need is for police and politicians to talk the same way," Heffernan said. "Our entire team is obviously devastated to learn about the news of the passing of the six-year-old girl who just absolutely should be alive today."
Maciejewski said she often sees people flying down her street and said this crash is a wake-up call for what we've been seeing around Western New York.
"Because if you're going to tell me that you think that you driving 40 miles an hour down my street is more important than this little girl's life. I don't think that I agree with you on that," she said.
If you have any information at all about this incident, you're 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.
