Round Rock child killed by car

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - A vehicle struck and killed a C.D. Fulkes sixth-grader while she crossed the street Thursday night in Round Rock.

The accident happened in the 1800 block of Gattis School Road near the Clay Madsen Recreation Center when police said Shaylah Dame, 12, started to run south across the street in midblock when she was struck at 6:50 p.m.

Shaylah's family said she was heading home after visiting friends at the skate park located near the recreation center.

Witnesses told police Shaylah was by herself when she started across the street in the middle of the block.

"This is one of those tragedies that could have been avoided, but it's a tragedy nonetheless," said Round Rock Police Department officer Eric Poteet.

The driver of the Toyota sedan stopped immediately after the accident to help, but the young girl never regained consciousness. She died one hour later at a Round Rock hospital.

A family friend of the Dame family said he believes the accident did not have to happen. There is no crosswalk or traffic light in the area where she was hit. Despite the local outcry for more pedestrian protection in that area, the city said studies show there is not enough traffic to warrant it.

"She lit up the room when she came in," said one family friend. "She was a straight-A student and proud of it. She was a wonderful girl."

"The children in the area are really, we try to get them all into cars to bring them over here," said Jai Stewart, a family friend of the victim. "It's such a dangerous street to cross. We don't like them crossing the street, but it does happen. She has never made this crossing before. This is her first time and, unfortunately, her last."

Police said the driver who hit the girl is not facing any charges.

"There's nothing to indicate any sort of criminal negligence on anybody's part," said Poteet.

The incident remains under investigation by the Round Rock police.

The family is planning a rally in front of the Clay Madsen Recreation Center this Saturday at 10 a.m. They said they want to remind all drivers to slow down in the area with a 40 mph speed limit.