1-year-old dies after mother reversed car, accidentally running her over

OAK PARK, Mich. (WJBK) - A 1-year-old was killed Thursday morning when her mother accidentally backed her vehicle over the child in Oak Park.

The city manager, Erik Tungate, says the mother was outside with her four children, including her 1-year-old daughter when the accident happened.

The baby was rushed to the hospital, where we're told 40 emergency staffers were waiting to help. Despite their best efforts, though, the child was pronounced dead.

This happened on Marlow Street, on a block near Greenfield Road just south of Nine Mile Road.

"There's nothing you can say about this. this just a sad devastating story," said Tanisha Rosseou, a neighbor.

A city official said the woman had been watching her children play in the yard of the house on Sussex street. it is still unclear what led to what police are calling a tragic accident.

The mother was inside the Saturn Vue and put it in reverse in her driveway, not seeing her 1-year-old daughter behind her. That 1-year-old has been identified by family as Alayjah Miller. 

"We're trying right now to figure out, was the child left outside the vehicle, was the child in the vehicle and got out some kind of way," said Lt. Marlon Benson. "At this point we're unsure right now of how that happened."

Oak Park and Southfield police quickly arrived and rushed the girl to the hospital in a police cruiser. About 40 doctors and nurses and staff stood on standby at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.

"Huntington woods and Berkley blocked off all intersections on the way to William Beaumont," Benson said. "So we had a clear path there, arriving at the hospital. In 20 years of experience I've never seen this many hospital personnel working their hardest to revive a child."

After a great effort the little girl was pronounced dead at the hospital. her mother is inconsolable.

"I can't even bear to think about how she's feeling," said resident Alexis Mitchell. "This is Christmas Eve. This is something she'll always think about. for the rest of her life.

"We are keeping them in our prayers definitely."

Police impounded the vehicle, and are still investigating. 

The family has set-up a Gofundme for Alayjah.