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3-year-old girl on tricycle killed in her own driveway

by ERIC WILKINSON / KING 5 News

KING5.com

Posted on April 12, 2010 at 5:41 PM

Updated Monday, Apr 12 at 10:21 PM

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. -  A tiny tricycle sat mangled beneath the hulking body of a Ford Expedition. Little more needed to be said to anyone who passed by the scene of such a horrific family tragedy.

"It’s just so senseless," said one neighbor.

Police tell KING 5 the driver of the Expedition just didn’t see 3-year-old Saniah Marcus who was on her tricycle directly in front of the SUV and he ran right her over as he pulled out of the family driveway.

Police say the driver is the 25-year-old fiancé of the little girl’s mother.

Investigators say the driver called to several kids to get away from the truck before he pulled out, but the little girl apparently didn’t hear him. She died on her way to the hospital.

"I’ve seen too many of these over the years," said Pierce County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Ed Troyer. "If you have a car that your can’t see over the front end, you just have to get out and do a quick walk-around."

Troyer added it does not appear that the driver will face any charges, and the whole thing looks like a terrible accident.

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 15 of 52

children10 said on April 19, 2010 at 5:22 PM

I just found out about Saniah, I fell for the family and friends. Is there any where I/we can help with donations, to help with the funeral I can't put out a lot put would like to help. I know the Grandparents. Children 10

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beclexa said on April 18, 2010 at 10:32 AM

I completely agree with midnightmama, you are not alone in your views. As sad as these events are, no one wants to see anyone held accountable for the events of that day and I think it is because if somebody was responsible, it exposes flaws in what they did, and anyone who has done the same thing is then exposed to the same consequenses for those actions. As long as this is viewed as a horribly tragic accident that no one could have prevented, it makes it okay to keep doing what you've always done and just hope or pray something like this doesn't befall your family. I prefer to prevent tragic accidents by actively being a responsible parent and actively watch what my kids are doing. Its not easy, no one ever thanks me and I miss out on some of my favorite shows/books, but at least I'm right there to see when my kids are in danger; seeing things they are too young to realize is dangerous; no ones a perfect parent, but that isn't an excuse for neglecting parental duties.

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commtyinmourning said on April 16, 2010 at 11:31 AM

I've organized a car wash to raise funds for the memorial for this little girl. Come by to get your car washed tomorrow, or come volunteer to wash cars for a good cause. Regardless of the mechanism of injury that caused this tragic death, this little girl deserves a proper memorial and burial. NO ONE plans to bury their child, and the costs are outrageous even for the simplest of service. Unless you've buried a child, you can't even begin to fathom what this family is going through emotionally or financially. 29th and Bridgeport in University Place from 11-2 Thanks to everyone wanting to help and contributing to this memorial fund. If you can't make it out, feel free to visit ANY Columbia Bank branch to make a donation. Sunset Primary PTA/Saniah Marcus fund.

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bassenav said on April 14, 2010 at 9:29 PM

To the family and friends of this little girl....I am so sorry for your loss and wish there was something that I could do to help you all get through this. It just breaks my heart. To everyone else.....shame on those of you who use this board for your bigoted and unfeeling responses! All of the caring people should just ignore and not respond to those who crave the attention! Please send your heartfelt thoughts and prayers to this unfortunate family. Heaven forbid that you or I go through anything remotely similar to this situation. My heart and thoughts go to this poor family and the whole story has me hugging my own sweet 2 year old girl a little longer today.

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cece44 said on April 14, 2010 at 1:46 PM

AND THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEART, AND MORALS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.. THE FAMILY NEEDS LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP NOT JUDGMENT OR PUT DOWN.. QUESTIONED OR TALKED ABOUT BY ANYONE THAT DOES NOT KNOW THEM...BUT SUPPORT LOVE PRAYERS AND FRIENDS... YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GONNA HAPPEN HOW OR WHEN.. AND FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE ALMIGHTY AND CAST JUDGMENT,SPEAK ILL, WILL ANSWER TO HIM BEFORE THEY BURN IN HELL...... R.I.P SANIAH

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cece44 said on April 14, 2010 at 1:35 PM

FIRST OF ALL WHO IS ANYBODY TO JUDGE BUT GOD??? SECOND OF ALL ARE YOU SERIOUS? A MOTHER AND A FATHER, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, FRIENDS, FAMILY AND RELATIVES JUST LOST A LIL GIRL...TO SIT HERE AND MAKE ACCUSATIONS ON THE MOTHER AND DON'T EVEN KNOW HER OR THE THINGS SHE BEEN THROUGH IS OUTRAGEOUS.... SHE IS A HARD WORKING MOTHER WHO LOVES HER KIDS ALL OF THEM HOW DARE YOU MIDNIGHTMAMMA SAY SUCH A HORRIBLE THING NEGLECT?? CHILD ENDANGERMENT? GOD DOES NOT LIKE UGLY AND KARMA IS A MOFO.. I PRAY NOT.. BUT ONE DAY SOMETHING SO TRAGIC MAY HAPPEN TO YOU RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU, A PURE ACCIDENT AND YOU WILL FEEL THE PAIN 10 FOLD...I WOULD APPRECIATE TO ALL IF YOU HAVE NO HEART DON'T COMMENT...REAL TALK, YOU DO NOT KNOW THE FAMILY OR THE MOM AND IF YOU DID.. YOU WOULD OF NEVER SAID SUCH A THING...GOD BLESS THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT SEEN IT HAVE MERCY ON THEIR HEARTS BLESS THE DRIVER AND THE MOM.. I KNOW THE FAMILY HAVE FOR YEARS MOM IS A NURSE AND HAS BEAUTIFUL KIDS AND A GOOD HEART. CARRIE 44

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happyducky13 said on April 14, 2010 at 7:33 AM

Skippythedog it isnt God who snuffed this precious little girl out accidents happen, and this is a horrible accident and I pray that the peace of God will be with the family, but its clear by your foolish response that your to ignorant to comprehend that. Honestly why even comment...

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rick22 said on April 13, 2010 at 3:13 PM

I feel bad for the family, but I also want to ask the guy "why the hell was he driving an Expedtion for a social trip around town?" It's a huge monster gas guzzler which crowds the road and is dangerous to those on the other side of a crash impact. If I was driving a family of eight to a national park, an Expedition would be great. Driving alone to your finance's house? Foolish.

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xx50ftqueeniexx0 said on April 13, 2010 at 1:50 PM

I suppose that regardless of what you're all arguing about, you can all be thankful you have the time and energy to argue/judge/insult everyone on a chat board instead of grieving your child like this family is....... Rest in peace little girl.

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david5198 said on April 13, 2010 at 12:26 PM

R.I.P. SANIAH

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scooter43 said on April 13, 2010 at 12:02 PM

anonymoususer skippythedog I am sorry that you have such a cold heart. This is a tragedy for all involved. Your comments are truly heartless and have no place here. You should be ashamed to write things like this! Do you undertstand what compassion is????

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carlconstantine said on April 13, 2010 at 11:09 AM

soundbncr - You are right! This guy keeps making ignorant statements in German. Those of us that speak German find this very annoying. This is unacceptable and cowardly behaviour. He can spread his Athiest views somewhere else. I know that I talk a lot of smack, but we have to draw the line somewhere. Schluckenscheie - You Nazi coward!!!!

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graham said on April 13, 2010 at 10:40 AM

Where the H-- were the parents

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blankingout said on April 13, 2010 at 10:21 AM

I wish the family my best in this horrible situation. It's times like these where gods wisdom is mysterious...

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carlconstantine said on April 13, 2010 at 10:20 AM

midnightmomma - Emotions are running high due to the nature of this incident. These are very trying times. Let's not lose focus of what's important here. Put yourself aside for a moment. We don't need to take this personal and out of context. It's not about who's at fault or why it happened. Hindsight is always 20/20.

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soundbncr said on April 13, 2010 at 10:16 AM

Schluckenscheie, dies ist Amerika, wenn Sie nicht wissen, wie Sie in Englisch auf eine amerikanische Diskussion Post, reagieren dann nicht buchen, und setzen Sie Ihre persönliche Kommentare an Ihre Freunde an anderer Stelle. Sie sind rude! Schluckenscheie, This is America, if you don’t know how to respond in English to an American discussion post, then don’t post, and put your personal comments to your friends somewhere else. You are rude!

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applmagotqrntine said on April 13, 2010 at 9:19 AM

I hate those big black suv's. Nuff said.

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moneymaker58 said on April 13, 2010 at 8:29 AM

Such a sad story. My heart goes out to the family.

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millkirk said on April 13, 2010 at 8:17 AM

Accidents happen in seconds, grieving can take a lifetime. May God bless them all. Many of us have been there and some still may, let us not be too quick to judge.

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rdemange said on April 13, 2010 at 8:15 AM

This is a very sad incident, the question I have why was she out front in the first place who was watching her play cause she s to little for the sibblings to watch her.

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1beachperson said on April 13, 2010 at 8:14 AM

I am heartsick. I'm so sorry for the family, friends, neighbors. Hold your children close. Terrible ACCIDENTS happen. Thoughts and prayers to you.

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brandonsgirl said on April 13, 2010 at 7:10 AM

Very sad news....my thoughts and prayers go out to this family....with reading some of these comments it seems there are many "perfect" parents out there that dont make any mastakes...or that is how they are acting............give this family a break and pray for them instead of leaving rude comments on here.

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stryker said on April 13, 2010 at 6:21 AM

Sad!

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midnightmomma said on April 13, 2010 at 6:04 AM

I have reported the personal attack comments. I see this one way and you see it another we are both welcome to our belief and that doesnt make a person stupid or small brained nor is okay for people to openly attack someone for sharing their opinion. All of this could have been avoided if the mother had been outside watching her child and that is negligent on her part because of that she put her child in harms way. CPS has pressed charges and taken kids for less then that. What is a 3 yr old doing outside alone in a world were there are kidnappings and also sex offenders living in our neighborhoods? We wonder why kids end up on amber alerts. I am sorry the child had to pay the price for her ignorance as a parent. That is what I was mainly trying to get at is hold her accountable. Since it was an accident after thinking about it I think the driver will have to suffer the rest of his life knowing he screwed up and killed a child by accident or not maybe charges for him arent necessary.

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red117 said on April 13, 2010 at 5:51 AM

So so sad, the driver must feel absolutely horrible, kinda feel for him too. If I were a mother however, I wouldn't let my child out of my sight (even to play) if she isn't old enough to comprehend when she's in danger. The little girl didn't move obviously because she didn't realize there was any danger in sitting in front of a vehicle that is on. Three years old is too young to be out toddling about with the other kids without her mother keeping constant watch on her, she was still practically a toddler for cryin out loud.

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tracer2009 said on April 13, 2010 at 5:41 AM

KING???? Why is this open to comments?????????????????

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browndog said on April 13, 2010 at 4:35 AM

midnightmomma is not very smart

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jackwong said on April 13, 2010 at 2:32 AM

Might want to buy the back-up sensor option on your truck the next time. Usually, most Ford models comes with it now. Ask your local dealer for details.

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oybatushki said on April 13, 2010 at 1:08 AM

midnight momma: you are seriously a disturbed and troubled individual. people don't expect to kill a child every time they pull out of their driveway and it was a tragic accident and you are only making things worse. it makes me so mad, use that tiny brain you do have and try and contemplate what you are saying and putting out in the world. it could just as easily have happened to you. god your stupid

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collegeguy said on April 13, 2010 at 1:01 AM

@midnightmomma, woulda, coulda, shoulda is no reason to destroy this family further. The little girl is not the only victim here. Unfortunatly accidents do happen and while yeah, the driver should have gotten out and made sure the kids had all moved. However, it was an accident. This type of accident will continue to happen no matter if we through the person in jail, someone else will make this mistake. By your logic, we should throw everyone in jail for making a mistake. @anonymousloser, yes, it is all the fornicating/ deviant lifestyles/ living in violation of what God told us to do's fault. Yes, yes, oh wait.... God wants us to willingly choose to follow his footsteps. But I bet one thing for sure, you don't follow God's will just as much as anyone else. My question to you, how does a mortal even have a clue as to God's plan? Churches are a man made thing and are falible just as man is. God does not expect perfection and teaches us to love our brothers... something you fail in.

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midnightmomma said on April 13, 2010 at 12:08 AM

I am pist I mean where is the mother of this child? Why are they not being brought up on charges for not watching their kid? Negligence, Child Endangerment? The driver should be brought up on involuntary manslaughter and negligence. There is no excuse for this. If the system doesn't make an example of these people it will keep happening and our kids are the ones suffering. Yes I feel for the family but the child is the true victim no one else. I can only pray that the legal system does their job and enforces the consequences for the actions of the fiancee intentional or not,

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tomma206 said on April 12, 2010 at 11:50 PM

I know I would lose it if my daughter was hit or I did something like this.Hugging my kids more and more each time I hear these stories. @ ANONYMOUSUSER.You sound like the people that protest at soldiers funerals saying god hates fags and so on.The stuff you read in Sarah palins book IS a step in the wrong direction.You should have stayed in the bible belt dummy.

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jitterbuged said on April 12, 2010 at 11:41 PM

I just seen that commercial 2 weeks ago. Please teach adults with a buildboard stop killing kids that way I am so sorry and I could not live with myself I would stop driving from that day. I am a truck driver and the day I started driving 1999 I told my self that If I kill I stop driving. learn the G.A.O.L get. out. and. look. ASK A TRUCK DRIVER STOP KILLING KIDS (I'm sorry to all) that pour little girl and the driver. He has to live with this and his soon to be wife I hope she will still marry him they both need to morn but morn to gether holds them together and please no blame. it could have happened to the mother if she was driving, (why) she would of not look ether but it all happens so fast. If she is shallow she will blame. PLEASE LEARN don't let this happen to you.

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luvmykiddoz017 said on April 12, 2010 at 11:17 PM

although my heart goes out to the family and to those who witnessed....i do believe that he should have looked better when he was pulling out. JUST SAYING.

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jppatches said on April 12, 2010 at 11:03 PM

Poor little thing, poor family, poor driver. it's all sad

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plutonomics said on April 12, 2010 at 11:01 PM

I don't think I could live with myself. I really don't. I'm at a loss for words.

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schluckenscheie said on April 12, 2010 at 10:35 PM

Carl oh, ich habe zugenommen .. Das ist, warum ich nicht an Märchen glauben. Ich wage zu wünschen ihnen den besten durch diese harte Zeit, weil ich Sorge. Konservative verteidigen Gott und Religion in der gleichen Weise Liberale verteidigen Al Gore und die globale Erwärmung zumindest zu geben Liberalen Kredit, Al Gore ist real...

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smileawhile said on April 12, 2010 at 9:44 PM

These are the WORST stories. :-(

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carlconstantine said on April 12, 2010 at 9:43 PM

schluckenscheie - Ihr Kommentar ist der dümmste Sache, die ich je gehört habe ... Jeder, der glaubt nicht an Gott nichts weniger als ein Narr ist. Schlicht und einfach. Wie kannst du es wagen geben Beileid an die Familie, nachdem Sie eine solche Aussage ignorant ... Sie müssen wachsen!

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billiameveryman said on April 12, 2010 at 9:42 PM

Empty Nester, there is no god, forgiveness exists outside of the imagination of a bunch of war-monging hypocrites, but nice try.... No god...

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aziza said on April 12, 2010 at 9:06 PM

:0(

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emptynestr said on April 12, 2010 at 9:00 PM

I am so sad for this family. This is every parent's worst nightmare. Please people don't blame God for things man does. Bad things happen to good people just as they do to bad people. We live in a fallen world and we ALL do things that hurt other people in some way, shape or form. The key in situations like this is in finding the ability to forgive. Jesus already paid the ultimate price for our failures and sins and bad choices in life. He laid down his own life so that we could be set free from out transgressions. Otherwise there would BE NO forgiveness at all. We ALL have been forgiven for the wrongs we have done no matter how great they are or even how small. We just need to accept HIS sacrifice on our behalf. God doesn't necessarily protect any of us from our own folly. We reap the consequences of them and yes people get hurt and even get killed in the process of our negligence. But by HIS mercy and grace we can be forgiven. I hope the fiance can forgive himself.

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schluckenscheie said on April 12, 2010 at 8:27 PM

Sorry, das Kind bevölkerungsreichsten enttäuschen, die ihre Verantwortung Abstoßen über Gott, aber wenn es einen gibt, er / sie schon längst gestorben. Wenn ich dich höre alle versuchen, Gottesfurcht zuzufügen, ich lache, weil du in den Kopf gefickt! Also, was ist dein Rind? Mein Beileid an die Familie.

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trojan33 said on April 12, 2010 at 7:49 PM

anonymoususer- I'm a good person. I know a lot of good people. But surely this child deserved His protection.

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anonymoususer said on April 12, 2010 at 7:45 PM

Take God out of schools and out of society and then blame Him for removing His protection??? People who live in fornication / deviant lifestyles / and live in violation of what God has clearly told us to have no right to expect His protection.

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yogibear said on April 12, 2010 at 7:38 PM

Horrible news . I feel so bad for the family and the driver.

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trojan33 said on April 12, 2010 at 7:35 PM

So very sorry for the family. And everyone involved. All those little kids that witnessed it too. I hope you can find peace.

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rubyshoes32 said on April 12, 2010 at 7:34 PM

How sad : ( I'm so sorry for the family's loss, and the young man must feel horrible.

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skippythedog said on April 12, 2010 at 7:15 PM

Pray to god? Isn't it god that snuffed out the kid? Sad story.

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zacherd said on April 12, 2010 at 7:14 PM

We are so sorry. We lost our 3 yr old grand daugher in a similar situation a couple of years ago. If we can be of any assistance at all, we would be happy to talk with you. We will look your response if you want to connect. Sometimes in situations like this, only those who have gone through this can help.

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genagee said on April 12, 2010 at 6:51 PM

My heart goes out to this family! I am so sorry for your loss.

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trojan33 said on April 12, 2010 at 6:50 PM

Oh my God! How awful. I really wonder if I should even say prayers for the family? It doesn't seem like there is a loving God to pray to, when these things are happening all the time. Just GD sad. So sorry for the family.

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