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Police Investigating After Child, 2, Run Over By First Responder Vehicle In Charleroi

CHARLEROI (KDKA) – A child was flown to the hospital after she was run over by her father's first responder vehicle in Washington County Wednesday morning.

According to officials, the accident happened in Charleroi just after 7:30 a.m.

The 2-year-old girl was hit near the intersection of Washington Avenue and East Street. Witnesses said the girl was in the back seat of the Charleroi emergency response vehicle her father drives when she fell out.

The girl's father said she opened the door by herself.

"She opened up the door lock herself and opened the door and she fell out as I was backing up to park the car. Just wished I would have watched a little better, just take the extra second. It only takes a millisecond and things change. A half an inch, it would have crushed her belly and it would have been all different. I would have been burying my daughter," the girl's father said.

KDKA has learned the girl's father is identified as Charleroi firefighter Mike Roberts.

He was taking the girl to her babysitter's house when the incident happened. The babysitter says she never saw and does not know if the child was in a car seat.

The child was flown to Children's Hospital, but was conscious and alert. She may have suffered a broken hip, but her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The accident is under investigation by Charleroi Police.

Charleroi's fire chief did not return our calls for comment.

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