How Did an Unoccupied SUV Roll 75 Yards Downhill and Fatally Strike a Student During Recess?
A 12-year-old sixth-grade girl died Thursday afternoon when an unoccupied SUV struck her outside Washington Middle School in Seattle. Seattle Police Department spokesperson Todd Kibbee reported the incident occurred around 1 p.m. on March 6th on 20th Place South, adjacent to the school. The driver failed to put the vehicle in park before exiting, causing the SUV to roll approximately 75 yards downhill before hitting the student who was walking to recess after her second lunch period. School officials implemented immediate safety measures, including a shelter-in-place order and early dismissal, while police began investigating the fatal crash.
5 Key Points
- A 12-year-old girl was killed by an unoccupied rolling SUV outside Washington Middle School on March 6th.
- The driver failed to put the vehicle in park and is being evaluated for potential impairment as standard protocol.
- The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on 20th Place South, next to the school.
- Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones announced that care teams support students and families.
- Washington Middle School remained open on Friday, March 7th, with additional counseling services available.
What Did Seattle School Superintendent Dr. Jones and Principal Manriquez Say About the March 6th Tragedy?
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones expressed profound sorrow during a Thursday afternoon press conference. “We are heartbroken by this tragedy,” Jones stated. “We are working to provide support to the families of the students and the staff. We have a care team here to ensure we are meeting the needs of our students, the families, and staff.”
When questioned about safety protocols, Jones acknowledged the ongoing investigation, saying, “We don’t know specifically how this transpired, but we do take safety protocols into place when our students are traveling on campus.”
Washington Middle School Principal Adrian Manriquez informed parents and staff through a letter that the victim was a sixth-grader at the school. “School will be open (Friday), and we will provide safe spaces for students who need support in coping with this tragedy,” Manriquez wrote, outlining the school’s immediate response plan.
What Counseling and Telehealth Support Services Are Available to Washington Middle School Students After the Fatal Accident?
Following the tragedy, Seattle Public Schools mobilized additional counseling and support staff at Washington Middle School. According to Principal Manriquez’s letter, telehealth support was available for students not attending in-person classes on Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
On Thursday, the district took immediate action by implementing a shelter-in-place protocol at the school. Classes were dismissed early as police continued their investigation. During the early dismissal, extra personnel monitored student crossings, and the street in front of the school was closed to traffic to ensure student safety.
Parents and students seeking additional mental health resources were directed to the district’s mental health services website, which provides further support options for those affected by the incident.
What Details Did Seattle Police Share About the SUV Driver and Standard Protocol for Fatal Crash Investigations?
According to Seattle Police Department spokesperson Todd Kibbee, the driver of the SUV failed to put the vehicle in park before exiting. This caused the unoccupied vehicle to roll approximately 75 yards down a hill before striking the student.
Kibbee confirmed that the person who had been driving the SUV was being evaluated for possible drug and alcohol impairment, which he noted is standard protocol in fatal crash investigations. No additional details about the driver or the specific make and model of the SUV were provided in the initial reports.
The police investigation was ongoing as of Thursday afternoon, with authorities continuing to gather evidence from the scene on 20th Place South, the street adjacent to Washington Middle School where the incident occurred.
FAQ
Q: When did the accident involving the 12-year-old Girl occur?
A: The accident occurred around 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 6th, 2025, outside Washington Middle School in Seattle.
Q: What caused the SUV to hit the student?
A: According to police, the driver failed to put the SUV in park before exiting the vehicle, causing it to roll approximately 75 yards downhill before striking the student.
Q: Will Washington Middle School remain open after the incident?
A: Yes, Principal Adrian Manriquez confirmed the school would remain open on Friday, March 7th, with safe spaces and additional support services available for students coping with the tragedy.
Q: What immediate actions did the school take following the incident?
A: The school implemented a shelter-in-place protocol, dismissed classes early, closed the street in front of the school to traffic, and positioned extra personnel to watch students crossing streets during dismissal.
Q: What support services are available to students affected by this tragedy?
A: The school provided additional counseling and support staff on Friday, telehealth support from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for students not attending in person, and access to further resources through the district’s mental health services website.
Citations
KOMO News Staff (March 7, 2025). 12-year-old Girl hit, killed by car while walking to recess outside Seattle middle school. 13WHAM. https://13wham.com/news/nation-world/child-killed-outside-washington-middle-school-crash-seattle-public-schools-s-jackson-st#
