WEBSTER, Mass. — Family, friends, and neighbors are mourning after a 10-year-old girl was struck and killed by a car in Webster over the weekend.
Family confirms to Boston 25 News that Marleigh Rose Guevara died after being hit by a vehicle on School Street while playing outside her home on Saturday afternoon.
Heather Pereira, Marleigh’s heartbroken mother, didn’t want to speak on camera, but confirmed her daughter was a student at Park Avenue Elementary.
Webster Superintendent of Schools Monique Pierangeli issued a statement on the young girl’s death, offering condolences.
“We are heartbroken at the loss of one of our young 4th-grade students, Marleigh, whose life was tragically cut short in an accident. At just 10 years old, Marleigh was a bright light in our school community, full of promise, curiosity, and joy,” Pierangeli said. “On behalf of our Webster School Community, I extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and all those whose lives were touched by this unimaginable loss. No words can ease the pain of losing a child, and our hearts are with the family as they navigate this devastating time.”
Marleigh would have turned 11 in September and also had three sisters, according to Pereira.
“My daughter, my beautiful Marleigh, was taken from me far too soon in a tragic accident. I keep waiting to wake up from this nightmare, to hear her voice, to see her smile walk through the door… but that moment never comes. And that is a pain no mother should ever have to live with," she wrote in a GoFundMe to help raise money for funeral expenses.
Flowers could be seen placed on a telephone pole near the crash site, and police tape remained tied to a nearby mailbox.
“Marleigh was everything. She had the kind of light that you don’t come across often, the kind that made people feel safe, happy, and loved just by being near her. Her laugh was contagious, her heart was pure, and her presence made this world a better place. To know her was to truly love her,” the fundraiser continued.
Two witnesses at the scene told Boston 25 News they ran outside after hearing the crash. They said they saw the child lying in the roadway, with the car still stopped in the street.
“The child wasn’t moving at all. No one knew what to do,” Jason D’Andrea recalled.
D’Andrea said police arrived within minutes and immediately began life‑saving efforts.
“About eight to ten minutes after the call was made, police showed up and immediately started doing chest compressions,” he said. “A minute or two later, the ambulance showed up, and the guy ran and grabbed the defibrillator.”
The Worcester District Attorney’s Office said Marleigh was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
D’Andrea also said drivers frequently speed along this stretch of School Street.
The driver of the car was confirmed by Webster police as Sherry Plitouke, a 35-year-old resident of Southbridge who was arrested by Dudley police back on April 3 after she was found asleep behind the wheel of her car. She was charged with an OUI, negligent operation, and drug possession class A and B.
Family and friends of Marleigh plan to gather for a candlelight vigil in her honor on Monday night at 535 School Street.
“When a community tragically loses a child, it loses a piece of its soul,” the department said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to Marleigh’s family and friends as they endure this terrible loss.”
Pierangeli said support will be made available to grieving students and staff.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
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