Fallbrook girl dies after being struck by SUV

FALLBROOK – An 8-year-old Fallbrook girl died after being hit by an SUV Friday evening while walking near the Fallbrook Community Center.

The accident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Heald Lane north of East Fallbrook Street, according to the California Highway Patrol. The girl and two family members were walking across a parking lot driveway when the girl was struck.

According to CHP public information officer Mark Latulippe, a 58-year-old Fallbrook woman driving a Toyota Rav4 was on Heald Lane when she began turning right into a parking lot. The woman apparently didn’t see the child, who at the same time was walking on the sidewalk and crossing the parking lot entrance with her family members.

“For reasons that are still under investigation, the 58-year-old female failed to observe the child as she turned into the parking lot and struck the child,” said Latulippe in a statement.

The girl was treated at the scene by paramedics but died on the way to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

The driver remained at the scene, and Latulippe said neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor in the deadly collision.