Photo: GoFundMe
An 11-year-old girl has died after a group of children who were under the legal driving age took an SUV out for a ride and crashed into a tree in Stockton, California, per PEOPLE.
On Sunday (August 25), Stockton police officers responded to a report of a vehicle that had hit a tree. Police said they found five girls between the ages of 11 and 15 and a 13-year-old boy at the scene. A child who was ejected from the vehicle was found not moving, a first responder said.
The children were taken to the hospital where the 11-year-old girl succumbed to her injuries. The victim was identified as Queen Marie Stacy Norwood, a student at McKinley Elementary in Stockton.
"We are very sorry to hear about the tragic accident that took place this weekend," Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said in a statement.
"Anytime we lose a student, it affects the entire SUSD community," she wrote. "We have counseling and support available for our students and staff. Please join us in wishing the family peace and comfort during this difficult time."
Stockton Police Department spokesperson Officer Omer Edhah called the accident "alarming."
“These are all very young children, between the ages of 11 and 15, and, unfortunately, one of them succumbed to their injuries. It’s disturbing," Edhah said. "And our message out to the community is be mindful where your children are, be aware of where your car keys are, be mindful of who you give your keys to and just kind of be aware all around — definitely don’t want to end up in a situation like this again."
According to police, no adults are believed to have been present at the scene of the crash. It's unclear who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash or how the minors were able to access the SUV.
The children's parents aren't currently facing charges.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to raise money for Queen's funeral expenses.
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