Sad story

[cinmell]

Girl killed when father accidentally runs her over


By Associated Press, 11/4/2004 12:36


METHUEN, Mass. (AP) A 10-year-old girl was killed when her father parked his truck in a pile of leaves in which she and a friend were hiding, the family said.

Family members told the Eagle-Tribune that James Gravel, 36, didn't know he'd run over the girls until he parked the truck, got out, and heard his daughter's voice.

''His daughter was calling for him,'' said his sister, Jennifer Gravel. ''She said, 'Daddy, I can't breathe.'''

Natalie Gravel was taken Wednesday night to Caritas Holy Family Hospital, where she died of head and chest wounds.

The other girl, 8-year-old Meredith Reid, the daughter of Gravel's girlfriend, was in critical condition Thursday morning, the newspaper reported.

The accident occurred on Williams Street, where Gravel and girlfriend Kimberly Blanchard live with their children. Police said they did not intend to press charges against Gravel, a construction worker.

He ''feels like he murdered his own child,'' said Natalie's mother, Carole LeBrasseur. ''I wasn't upset at him. I know it was an accident.''

Gravel's two other children, ages 11 and 7, were in his 1997 GMC truck at the time.

Jennifer Gravel said her brother is ''very distraught. ... It's sad. He could have never known. The two girls were underneath, playing in the big pile of leaves. They were not visible.''



I can not begin to imagine how this family is feeling, especially the father.

 

[coliebird]

What a horribly sad story, but a good reminder to be extra cautious. Prayers for the family, esp. the poor father that has to live with this.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

OMG!
How terrible for that family and the for the Father.

 

[CamColt]

Oh how HORRIBLE!!! That poor family.

 

[Pooh93]

How tragic.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

that is just horrific. I just had this talk with my kids not 2 days ago, to NEVER play in a pile of leaves where cars would drive. How terribly sad!

 

[nativetxn]

How terrible

 

[Cthia]

That is so sad. That poor family.

 

[laurie31]

OH that's just awful! When I started reading I thought maybe he didn't see her in the driveway - lots of kids get backed over because they can't be seen in the rear view mirror if they're playiing right behind the car, -but there was no way he could have seen her or known she was there. How very sad!

Laurie

 

[Beauty]

That is horrible, I feel so badly for that man.

 

[2MuchOhana]

That is so sad! I can't imagine what he, his family and the family of the other little girl are going through right now!

Prayers for all involved in this tragic accident!

Jodi

 

[disneysnowflake]

Oh my goodness.
That is just terrible. I couldn't imagine how those parents must feel right now.

 

[spagheddie]

That is incredibly sad. Reading that was like getting kicked in the stomach. That poor man.

 

[Nancy]

That is why I never, ever, ever put my leaves in the street! I think that should be illegal..(piling them along the curb in the street for pickup) Put 'em up on the grass along the curb. Our village goes down the street and moves them into the middle of the road and a big sweeper truck comes and carts them away.

 

[piglet too]

Wow, what a sad story. I can not even begin to imagion the guilt he must be feeling. I do hope that the friend makes it.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

My prayers go out to them and hopefully the other little girl pulls through. I can't even imagine that.

 

[4greatboys]

What a horrible tragedy

 

[pw2pp]

Oh that is so sad
I remember when I was a teen and just started driving, someone told me to never drive through a pile of leaves for that very reason.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Oh my god...this is my town.

 

[KristaTX]

That is truly tragic . We don't have many huge piles of leaves around here, so it has never even crossed my mind that they could lead to such tragedy.