WASHINGTON – One of the five children struck by an SUV in Lewisdale, Md. Thursday night has died, authorities say.
Natalie Hernandez-Cruz, 8, was fatally injured after her mother, Maria Anna Cruz-Lopez, accidentally backed into a driveway on the 2200 Block of Hannon Street at about 8:45 p.m.
Authorities say she mistakenly stepped on the gas instead of the brake after getting into a heated conversation with her landlord over a possible eviction.
“Despite the circumstances, it just seems that this was simply a devastating accident,” says Julie Parker, Prince George’s County police information officer.
Some of the victims – ranging in age from 18 months to 11 years old – were crushed or trapped by the car, witnesses say.
Cruz’s 2-year-old son was also injured in the accident.
The kids were taken to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington with critical injuries.
Charges will likely not be filed against the 33-year-old mother, Parker says.
WTOP’s Neal Augenstein contributed to this report. Follow Neal Augenstein and WTOP on Twitter.
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