WOODLAND, Calif. — Woodland police confirmed Monday that a toddler was behind the wheel of a truck that hit and killed two-year-old Ailahni Sanchez Martinez at a gas station.
The Woodland Police Department published new information about the deadly crash in a Facebook post Monday afternoon. It happened around 3:45 p.m. Saturday on the 300 block of West Street, at a 76 gas station.
Upon arrival, officers found a 2-year-old had been hit and taken by family members to the hospital where she died from her injuries.
Police say they found the owner of the truck at the scene, and the owner left the truck running while parked at a gas pump. The 3-year-old left in the truck was in their car seat but got out and made their way to the driver’s seat.
Police say the truck moved forward and struck a 2-year-old near a taco stand at the edge of the parking lot while the truck's owner was inside the convenience store.
The owner was detained but released without charges.
Ailahni’s father, Sandro Sanchez, spoke to ABC10 Sunday. He said her birthday was coming up on April 29, and he disagreed with the truck owner not being charged.
"That person took a life from a little girl," said Sanchez. "Well, his truck was supposed to be in off and especially with the little girl, you know?"
Woodland police say they are working to ensure a thorough investigation is completed, which includes analyzing evidence, reviewing surveillance footage and creating scene diagrams.
Their investigation will be sent to the Yolo County's District Attorney’s Office for review.
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