WOODWARD TOWNSHIP -- A family near Williamsport is devastated after a 2-year-old child was killed when a relative ran over her late Saturday afternoon.
State police said the toddler was hit by a relative driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck. He was parked along the road in the Harvest Moon Mobile Home Park near Williamsport. He had driven less than 20 feet when he hit the little girl, who state police say was in the roadway.
With how high the truck is from the ground, the driver told state police he did not see the toddler when he hit her. She was only as tall as his front bumper.
The coroner identified the little girl as Shelby Folse. We briefly spoke to her family. They believe this is a tragedy all around and a freak accident that they are struggling to deal with.
The family is from Louisiana and has only been here a few weeks for work on a nearby pipeline project.
Some people who live in this community along Route 220 are struggling to process the tragedy.
“Being so close and having kids myself, I couldn’t imagine what the family is going through and what they are feeling,” said Richard Ruch of Woodward Township.
“I feel bad for the family and the person that hit her. I mean, it’s got to be shocking,” said a neighbor.
Some neighbors did not want to be identified but did want to extend their condolences and support for the family.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them. And I hope that they can find a way to deal with everything.”
One woman bought a teddy bear for the 2 year old.
“It’s white because she’s an angel. She’s one of God’s angels now. I’m going to put a pink ribbon on it for her,” she said.
She planned on placing it where the little girl died to start a memorial.
The driver of the pickup who hit the toddler has not been charged by state police. It's unclear if anyone in the family will be charged or cited.