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Ice cream truck driver heard scream as Phoenix police car hit girl

Posted at 7:10 PM, Aug 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-17 22:10:38-04

An ice cream truck driver said that he heard a scream but didn't see the crash that critically injured a 3-year-old girl in front of his vehicle.

The collision between the girl and a police car happened around 7 p.m. Tuesday near 67th Avenue and Camelback Road.

The ice cream truck driver told ABC15 that he handed the girl her "paleta" and was getting more from the freezer for the rest of the group when the child walked in front of his truck and was hit by the patrol car as it tried to pass.

ABC15's crew saw three large signs on the back of the truck warning vehicles to slow down and watch for children crossing.

Neighbors said the girl's older brother tried to render aid before medics arrived.

"The little boy was so incredibly brave taking care of his sister when she was injured and brave taking care of his other siblings when is mom and dad were clearly upset," a witness, who asked not to be identified, said.

Phoenix Police spokesman James Holmes confirmed that the child's mother was in the area when the crash happened.

Authorities said the 35-year-old female officer who struck the child was driving alone and is extremely upset by what happened.

Neighbors said the officer was leaving a vacant home on the block after responding to a call about abandoned dogs. Two other officers arrived Wednesday afternoon, put the animals in a police SUV and drove away. 

Neither the victim nor the officer involved in the crash have been identified.