The 3-year-old struck and killed by a vehicle on Neatum Street Wednesday has been identified as Mariah Zaporah Rogers. (Source: Family)JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
The 3-year-old struck and killed by a vehicle on Neatum Street Wednesday has been identified as Mariah Zaporah Rogers. Right now, the death is considered an accident and no criminal charges have been filed.
Jackson Police Officer Colendula Green says a family member was pulling out of the driveway around 4:20 p.m. while the 3-year-old was playing in the front yard with other children. The driver reportedly heard and felt a thump. The driver got out of the vehicle and discovered the girl lying on the ground.
"Under the car. Yes, she was up under the car. She was up under there, that's all I could tell you. She was up under the car," said Cecil Amos, a neighbor that walked out to see what the commotion was all about.
As people looked on, crime scene investigators collected toys from the spot where the little girl was hit. It's a spot residents had seen kids, including the little girl, playing in before.
"I couldn't think. I was just so nervous. I was just so, it hurt so bad. I couldn't even, I didn't even think for a minute," said Amos.
Neighbors didn't know much about the family but were still shocked to hear the news.
"Just couldn't imagine for anybody. You couldn't wish that kind of pain upon anybody," said Alvino Francis who lives across the street.
It's not a high traffic area but Wednesday's tragedy has some rethinking how careful they should be behind the wheel.
"See the kids out here playing everyday just have to be more mindful of what you're doing, all I have to say. Just a scary thought," explained Alvino Francis.
The 3-year-old was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead.
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