Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
VERNAL — The Uintah County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday released the name of a 4-year-old girl who died Monday after she was accidentally run over by a tractor.
MaKenzie Ann Nielsen was riding on the side of a tractor being driven by a family member, Cpl. Brian Fletcher said. The tractor was moving slowly when the driver downshifted and the machine lurched forward, investigators said.
MaKenzie lost her balance and fell off the tractor, according to deputies. The driver was unable to stop, and MaKenzie was run over by the tractor's rear tire, Fletcher said.
Despite efforts to resuscitate her at the scene, MaKenzie was pronounced dead at Uintah Basin Medical Center in Roosevelt, the corporal said.
MaKenzie was described in an online obituary posted Tuesday as "an active and energetic little girl who made everyone light up wherever she went."
"She was quick to make friends and loved life," the obituary stated. "MaKenzie loved her family, following along on whatever they were doing. When someone was going out to feed the cows or work on the farm, she was right behind them, no matter what!"
Funeral services for MaKenzie are set for Friday in Ballard, Uintah County. A donation account has been set up at Mountain America Credit Union in her name.
