3-year-old girl hit and killed by SUV identified


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WENDOVER — A family is grieving after a 3-year-old girl was hit and killed by an SUV Monday night.

Tooele County Sheriff's Office confirmed the toddler's identity as Vanessa Gomez.

Family members were leaving a gathering at a home near 800 East and 300 South in Wendover just after 10 p.m., according to deputies. About 30 or 40 family members and friends had spent the day playing soccer and taking part in other activities before finishing the evening at this location, according to Tooele County Sheriff Paul Wimmer.

After one vehicle quickly filled, the woman who owned the second vehicle ran back inside the house to get her keys, leaving Vanessa outside with the others.

"In the confusion, this little 3-year-old ended up standing in front of an SUV," Wimmer said.

As the male driver, 23-year-old Jesus Gonzalez, was pulling forward away from the house, he ran over Vanessa. Sheriff's deputies say the SUV full of passengers was traveling very slowly and Gonzalez said he just didn't see the girl.

Witnesses administered CPR as emergency crews arrived but the girl died before crews could take her to a hospital.

Deputies say Gonzalez is a family member of the girl. He voluntarily took a drug test. Investigators don't believe drugs or alcohol played a factor in the accident. The incident is still under investigation.

Contributing: Pat Reavy

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