4-year-old killed in 'tragic accident'

KOKOMO, Ind. (WISH) - A Kokomo family grieves for a four-year-old girl after her grandfather accidentally ran over her.

The tragic incident happened Sunday morning in the parking lot of Centro Cristiano Adonai Church.

Police said Jesus Martinez didn't see his four-year-old granddaughter Beatriz Arreola standing in front of his minivan when he put the van in drive and rolled over her.

"The four-year-old had apparently traveled to the church with an uncle, but once church services were over she apparently went to her grandfather's minivan and stood at the front bumper," said Sheriff Marshall Talbert of the Howard County Sheriff's Department.

Church members of the congregation witnessed the accident. They rushed to help get the van off Beatriz by using a jack, but by that time it was too late.

In May of 2005, 24-Hour News 8 reporter Gene Rodriguez did a story on the dangers of blind-spots in larger vehicles such as, SUVs, trucks and vans.

Since that story aired, more than 700 American children died in non-traffic accidents on private property. So far this year there has been 116 deaths.

Janette Fennell with Kids and Cars has lobbied for legislation that protects children.

"We know that as many as two children every week in the United States are being backed over and killed," said Fennell.

In this most recent case, it was a front over accident. And according to Kids in Cars between 2002 and 2006 there were 128 fatal front over accidents in the U.S.

"Often times when you step into a vehicle you are looking inside the vehicle and then as you take your seat look out drive forward he probably never saw her there," said Sheriff Talbert.

Martinez tested negative for drugs and alcohol. The sheriff said this was just a tragic accident and Martinez won't be charged.

Meantime, recent federal legislation aims to prevent these accidents by creating rear visibility standards for vehicles, requiring the federal government to collect data on non-traffic accidents like these and provide educational programs about these dangers.

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I don't understand why people don't look before they get into their vehicles. I look for animals for crying out loud. Be aware of your surroundings.