8-YO Girl Killed During Performance at Fourth of July Parade | She Died ‘Doing What She Loved’

An 8-year-old girl lost her life after she was run over by a parade vehicle during the Fourth of July celebrations in Utah. 

The Kaysville Fire Department confirmed via Facebook that the procession had to halt early on July 4, 2022, "due to a medical emergency" on Main Street. The Kaysville Police Department classified the incident as "an auto-pedestrian accident involving a parade vehicle and a participant." 

The young girl, identified as Macie Hill, was dancing as part of a patriotic presentation in the parade with her Patriot Cheer All-Stars dance team at the time of the incident. Her death was confirmed by the family.

A GoFundMe campaign set up for the victim's family revealed that Hill was the youngest of four children. "Macie's dad said she loved her Patriot Cheer team," the fundraiser's description read. "She loved cheering and Macie passed away doing what she loved, being with her team."

Hill was reportedly performing with the group when she was struck by a Hummer, according to KTSU. The vehicle involved was a part of the group, per WRAL.

Shawna Dennis, a local resident said she was watching the parade with family when the "horrific" incident occurred. "I don't think people understood the seriousness of the situation at first," she explained, adding that the sight left her "in shock."

"I've never seen anything like that in my life," she said. "I glanced up and I see a little girl that was laying on the ground in that little dance company and the trailer, the back trailer just ran over the top of her."

Dennis recalled hearing a woman yell, "Stop, stop, stop, you just ran over one of your girls!" at the driver of the car.

Hill was transported to a local hospital "in critical condition," according to police. While the Kaysville police have not confirmed the girl's death, they offered their condolences to her loved ones in a post on Facebook.

"This is a tragic event," the department wrote on July 4, 2022, "and our hearts go out to the child's family."

Kaysville police officer Lexi Benson said the accident was an "absolute freak accident," according to the Standard-Examiner. "However, we will spend time and effort going back over things to see if we can do anything to prevent anything like this from happening again."

The money raised on the fundraising campaign will go toward medical and funeral expenses, according to its description.

"The family would like to express their thanks to all of the first responders and members of the community who jumped in to help Macie," a description on the fundraiser said. "They would also like to thank the compassionate staff at Layton Parkway Hospital for the tender care they provided to Macie and to her family in the most devastating of circumstances."

Now, a small memorial has been set up near the site of the accident. 
 
References:

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/kaysville-parade-canceled-due-to-medical-emergency

https://www.wral.com/8-year-old-girl-killed-in-utah-parade-accident/20360619/

https://www.standard.net/news/local/2022/jul/05/dancer-8-killed-in-kaysville-fourth-of-july-parade/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/macie-hill

Cover Image Source: GoFundMe | Macie Hill