An 8-year-old girl died Monday of injuries she suffered when she was was hit by a vehicle during an Independence Day parade in Kaysville.
As of Tuesday morning, Kaysville police had not released the victim’s name. However, a GoFundMe page identified her as Macie Hill. She was participating in the parade as a member of the Patriot Cheer All Stars.
“Macie was the youngest in her family and a princess to her three older brothers and her parents,” according to the GoFundMe, posted by a friend and neighbor of the Hill family.
“Macie was full of life and showed joy and love to everyone,” the page states. “Macie’s dad said she loved her Patriot Cheer team. She loved cheering and Macie passed away doing what she loved, being with her team.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe page had exceeded its fundraising goal of $50,000, raising more than $90,000 to help pay for funeral and medical expenses, a headstone and counseling for family members.
“We are overcome with heartfelt gratitude,” wrote the organizer, who added that “any excess funds will help the family as they move forward in deciding how best to honor Macie’s beautiful memory.”
City officials stopped, then canceled the parade after the child was hit. She was struck by a parade vehicle near 175 S. Main, Kaysville police said. Main Street was briefly shut down following the auto-pedestrian crash.
The department said the child was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Police initially identified the girl as being age 12, but a police Facebook post was later updated to indicate she is 8.
More details about how the fatal crash occurred were not immediately available as of Tuesday afternoon.
“This is a tragic event and our hearts go out to the child’s family,” the department said in a Monday Facebook post. “We will continue to release updates as we gather further information.”
Police on Tuesday shared a list of crisis counseling and coping resources on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the department recognized the “tragic event” affected “the community as a whole.” “Together we are Kaysville Strong,” the post concluded.
