CBS 2 Chicago wbbm7801059 670 The Score

Local

Girl, 3, Struck And Killed By Truck In Roseland

Makayla Dameron

Makayla Dameron, 3, was hit and killed by a delivery van Saturday. (Credit; Dameron Family)

Mike Puccinelli

Reporting Mike Puccinelli

Don't Miss This
Don't Miss This

UPDATED 08/25/12 4:56 p.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) — Makayla Dameron was just 3 years old, taking a walk with her mother on a late Saturday morning, when a delivery truck cut her life tragically short.

As CBS 2’s Mike Puccinelli reports, police are still investigating the accident that killed Makayla around 11:25 a.m. Saturday at 103rd and State streets in the Roseland neighborhoods. But it does not look any charges will be filed in the case, which appears to be simply a tragic accident.

Hours afterward, one of the little girl’s sparkled shoes sat alone in the street, wreathed in police tape. Off to the side, Makayla’s aunt, Dabrielle Dixon, was crying and looking on helplessly at the spot where her niece took her last breath.

“She played all day. She’s full of smiles,” Dixon said. “That’s my angel.”

Makayla was attempting to cross State Street with her mother and brother when the delivery truck struck and killed her. Witnesses say she broke free from her mother and ran under the truck’s back wheels.

A man who did not want to reveal his identity told CBS 2 he tried to help, as Makayla’s mom became hysterical after watching her daughter get run over.

“I told her, ‘Don’t pick her up. Don’t move her,’” the man said. “But she was already dead. She was crushed.”

Juanita Strong heard the screams and ran outside to try and help. But she soon realized nothing could be done for the little girl known in the neighborhood as KK.

“It’s heartbreaking, to see a poor child mangled in the streets,” Strong said. “It’s not pleasant.”

The driver of the truck and his passenger stopped immediately, and they were inconsolable.

“He said, ‘I didn’t see her.’ He didn’t see her,” said the man who tried to help. “He just knew he hit something and he got out.”

Makayla was rushed to the hospital. But police say that was just a formality, because the child was already gone when first responders arrived at the scene
.
At that scene hours later, Dixon stood and stared in disbelief, knowing that her sister’s first child wouldn’t be coming home again.

“She was a good kid. She was full of smiles,” Dixon said between sobs. “I don’t know what to say.”

One neighbor told CBS 2 she hopes KK’s death will serve as a warning to other children and parents in the neighborhood about the danger of crossing busy streets.

Listen Live!

RSS Most Popular News

Follow CBS Chicago

Like us on foursquare

RSS Contests & Promotions

  • Benjamin Moore Which Team Colors Matter Most? May 24, 2013
    Which Team Colors matter most to you? Either way, you could be a winner! Just sign up now for a chance to win $500 Depot Dollars to the Chicago Sports Depot to pick up some gear with your favorite team colors as they battle it out this week!
  • AVEENO® MEN’S “Building a Healthier Foundation” Sweepstakes May 21, 2013
    AVEENO® Men’s™ knows your family is your foundation. And to take good care of them, you need to take good care of yourself. Win a family day at the ballpark from AVEENO® Men’s™.
  • Join Hankook Tire To Reel In The Next Big Catch May 20, 2013
    Join Hankook tire to reel in the next great catch! Click here to go to www.TirePrize.com and enter for your chance to win the ultimate fishing excursion in Puerto Rico!
  • Meet Jim Rome On Set In Los Angeles May 20, 2013
    AutoZone and the Jim Rome Show are giving one winner and a guest a trip to meet Jim Rome in Los Angeles on the set of his Showtime television show! Enter for your chance to win!
WBBM Newsradio 780, Radio Stations & Broadcast Companies, Chicago, IL

Twitter Updates