Girl hit, dies in North Carolina Christmas parade

A young girl performing in a North Carolina Christmas parade died after a driver lost control of a vehicle towing a wagon in the procession and struck her.

A GMC Denali had been towing a car for the CC & Co. dance at the Raleigh Christmas Parade when the driver started screaming that he had lost control of the vehicle, ABC11 reported.

The driver hit the girl at slow speed, but despite life-saving efforts, she later died, the station reported. No other participants were injured.

“They tried to get us all out of the way,” dancer Cheyenne Hamilton, 17, told The News & Observer. “But unfortunately one of the dancers couldn’t dodge. They pulled (the dancer) out right in front of us.”

The driver is charged with misdemeanor, death by motor vehicle, careless and reckless driving, improper equipment, unsafe movement and carrying a firearm in a parade, ACB11 reported.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of the young girl who lost her life in the Raleigh Christmas parade today.” said Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. “Our prayers are with her family, friends and the dancers at CC & Co. The community is here for you as we try to understand and process this shared tragedy.”