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Parents speak out about death of daughter killed in driveway accident

Posted at 4:47 PM, Aug 11, 2014
and last updated 2014-08-12 10:00:06-04

SYRACUSE, Utah -- A Syracuse teen killed in a tragic accident was the life of her family, her mother said Monday.

Marli Hamblin, 15, died Sunday from injuries sustained Friday after her sister accidentally backed a pickup truck over her while she was sunbathing and listening to music in the driveway.

Erin Behm of the Syracuse Police Department said earlier this week the driver could not see Marli due to her location.

Marli’s mother, Lisa, said her daughter was vibrant and full of life.

“She is a miracle to others because we’ve decided that, that is what she would want, is to be a donor and so she’s helping others to be able to live on with their families even though she’s not with us,” Hamblin said.

Hamblin said Marli’s siblings are devastated.

“...They’ll get through it – but they need their prayers still,” she said.

Marli was about to start school at Syracuse High as a member of the cheerleading squad.

Hamblin said her squad delivered a little gift bag and they had all wrote her a card. She read the cards to her daughter early in the morning over the weekend.

“I was just amazed. They all said she was their role model and her smile made their day, just always happy and friendly to everybody,” Hamblin said.

Behm said the driver of the truck will not be charged. Police consider this to be an unfortunate accident.

“Always be aware, tragedies, accidents–unfortunately, they happen far too often,” Behm said. “However, if you’re in a big truck and you look behind you, you might not be able to see directly behind you, and I think that that’s what happened here: It was just an accident.”

Support for the Hamblins has come from family, friends and strangers.

A donation account has been set up in Marli’s name.

Those interested in donating can make them at any America First Credit Union.