SPECIAL-SECTIONS

3-year-old fatally hit by car

Incident happened at mobile home park

Ashley Morris StarNews Staff
A 3-year-old girl was hit by a vehicle Monday night after she slipped out into the roadway. [ASHLEY MORRIS/STARNEWS]

MONKEY JUNCTION -- A 3-year-old girl was fatally hit by a car Monday night, N.C. Highway Patrol officials confirmed.

According to Trooper A. Elson, highway patrol officers responded to the Royal Palms community just after 6 p.m. Monday.

Three-year-old Jessie Rubi Gomez Lopez was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where she died of her injuries.

Elson said it appears Lopez walked out from behind a parked car into the roadway and was hit by a 2014 Honda passenger vehicle, operated by Sulmy Arely Lopez.

Both the driver and victim reside in Royal Palms Mobile Home Park, the release states.

At this time no charges have been filed, and the collision remains under investigation.

Reporter Ashley Morris can be reached at 910-343-2096 or Ashley.Morris@StarNewsOnline.com.