4-year-old girl killed when SUV crashes into tree in Salt Lake City

Lila Johnason. Photo Courtesy: GoFundMe

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 12, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials have released the name of a 4-year-old girl who died late Wednesday night when the vehicle in which  she was riding crashed into a tree at 2700 South and Chadwick Street (1410 East).

The victim’s name was Lila Johanson.

Salt Lake City Police Lt. Dave Cracroft said the call about a car-tree traffic accident came in shortly before 10 p.m.

Cracroft said an SUV was heading west on 2700 South when it crossed the eastbound lanes and crashed into a tree in front of a residence.

He said it does not appear that speed was a factor in the crash, but the exact cause has yet to be determined.

“The driver had some minor injuries,” Cracroft said. “There was a small child in the back that is now deceased.”

He confirmed that the driver is the girl’s mother, and she and Lila were the SUV’s only occupants.

He said neighbors in the immediate area heard the crash and came out to help.

“One of them was an EMT, and another works up at the U in the emergency room,” Cracroft said. “They got the child out and started CPR.”

Lila was then transported to Primary Children’s Hospital and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Cracroft praised the neighbors and witnesses who immediately rushed to help, “but unfortunately, the child’s injuries were too severe.”

He said a booster seat was in the back of the vehicle, “so our assumption is that the child was in the booster seat, but I don’t know if the child was big enough to be in the seat or not.”

An accident of this type is unusual for the area, Cracroft said.

“The speed here is 30 (mph), and we don’t suspect excessive speed was involved. We don’t know the cause — we just plain don’t know.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Lila’s aunt. The page states: “On October 11, 2017 our sweet Lila Lauren Johanson passed away suddenly in a car accident. Lila was 4 years old and loved by so many. Lila was raised by her single mom, Alexa with help from all of her aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Lila had more love than imaginable. She was full of kindness and silliness. She will be missed by everyone and we cannot wait until our reunion one day.

“Unfortunately Lila’s mother (my sister) is still in the hospital recovering from her injuries that night so I am setting up this GoFund me to help with the funeral expenses.”

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