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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A two-year-old died Monday when a family friend dropping off the girl and her mother backed out of the family’s driveway.

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 3200 Ashland Avenue, near 30th Street and Shadeland Avenue, around 4 p.m. Monday. 

Capt. Karen Arnett with IMPD said officers arrived to find a two-year-old girl struck and killed by a pickup backing out of the home’s driveway. 

Police said there was a strong language barrier between officers and the people involved in the crash but believe that a family friend had driven the mother and daughter to the grocery store. The friend returned the mother and daughter to their home, and the mother went inside. The driver thought the girl was also inside and backed out of the driveway, hitting and killing the girl. Police were awaiting an interpreter to continue to investigate.

Police believe the driver did not know the girl was behind the pickup. 

The driver stayed on scene, and a fatal crash investigator arrived to begin working on Monday night. 

Barnett called it a “tragic situation” and reminded drivers to look behind  their vehicles and parents to be mindful of their children. 

PHOTO: WISH TV