SANDY, Utah — A five-year-old girl who was hit and killed by a United States Postal Service vehicle in Sandy on Tuesday has been called a "miracle child."
Katie Peterson died after being struck by the truck in the 9300 block of Blossom Wood Circle while playing outside her house. The truck driver, a 53-year-old man delivering the mail, stayed on the scene to cooperate with police.
A GoFundMe set up to cover the funeral expenses for Katie said she was born with Dyrk1a Syndrome, which is characterized by "intellectual disability including impaired speech development, autism spectrum disorder with anxious and/or stereotypic behavior problems, and microcephaly," according to the National Institue of Health.
Despite the diagnosis, the GoFundMe called Katie a "miracle child" as she "surpassed every expectation and milestone that her doctors had for her and was a warrior for her little community."
Upon arriving at the scene, emergency crews attempted life-saving measures to help Peterson, but she died at the accident site.
"From what we've gathered so far, speed or impairment is not a factor in the collision," said Lt. Dean Carriger with the Sandy Police Department.
Officers and firefighters admitted to feeling the strain of emotions after dealing with the fatal accident. Sandy police officials said grief counselors are being made available to family members following the Peterson's death.
