Gateway Toddler Accidentally Run Over, Killed

COMPTON, CA - Authorities on Monday were investigating the death of a 22- month-old girl who was run over by a pickup truck driven by her mother's boyfriend in Compton.

Homicide detectives were sent to the 600 block of North Willow Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday, said sheriff's Deputy Lisa Jansen.

"When homicide detectives arrived, they learned that the mother's boyfriend was not aware her child followed him outside of the home when he was backing his pickup truck out of the driveway," Jansen said. "As he was backing his truck out, he felt the truck run over an unknown object."

He then found that he had run over the girl, Jansen said.

"The mother was home during the incident," Jansen said. "However, she was unaware her child was outside. The driver did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the incident. There appears to be no obvious signs of foul play."

The girl died at the scene. Her name was not immediately released. Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

— City News Service, photo via Shutterstock