3-year-old girl runs into traffic and is fatally struck by SUV in Gary

A 3-year-old girl was fatally struck by an SUV when she ran into traffic Tuesday afternoon in northwest Indiana, according to police.

The girl was struck about 3 p.m. in the 500 block of West 5^th Avenue in Gary, according to Gary police.

A 2000 Dodge Durango was eastbound on 5^th Avenue when it struck the girl when she ran into traffic from the south side of the road, a statement from police said.

Davea Smith of Gary was taken to Methodist Hospital Northlake in Gary by ambulance, and was pronounced dead, police said.

The girl was “in the company of another juvenile when the incident occurred,” police said. The other child was not injured.

The driver of the SUV was identified as a Portage, Ind. man, according to police.

The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information should call Sgt. Michael Jackson at (219) 881-7485.