A 3-year-old was boy behind the wheel of a truck hit and tragically killed a 2-year-old girl on Saturday, according to California law enforcement officers.
The victim was standing near a taco stand that her family owns at the edge of a gas station lot in Woodland, California when she was hit by a black Dodge truck at around 3: 46 pm, says the Woodland Police Department.
Ailahni Sanchez Martinez, 2, was transported by family members to a local hospital where she died of her injuries.
The owner of the pickup said he left the vehicle running at the gas pump with the 3-year-old child in a car seat in the backseat while she ran into the gas station.
The boy then climbed out of his car seat and got into the driver's seat. The truck, which was not in park, struck the girl.
"I heard a scream and ran because I saw it going toward my daughter, but it was too late," said her father, Sandro Sanchez.
"We want justice," Sanchez told the outlet. "I lost my daughter because of someone else."
No arrest has been made, police said, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
"He left the vehicle running and with a child inside," said Sanchez. "What happened is not right."
"Everyone involved has cooperated in this investigation," police said. "We are working to ensure a thorough investigation is completed. This includes taking statements, analyzing evidence, reviewing video surveillance footage, creating scene diagrams, and completing investigative reports. We ask for the community's patience while this occurs. The completed investigation will be forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for review."
