Rainier-area man reportedly hits, kills 17-month-old with car

A father ran over and killed his 17-month-old daughter Thursday while backing out of his carport in the 16400 block of Village Drive Southeast outside of Rainier, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s Lt. Chris Mealy said the man was backing out of the carport before 4 p.m. Thursday, and when he was entering his vehicle he saw the child playing on a large toy 30 to 40 feet away, Mealy said. But when he backed up in his car, he heard a bump, exited the vehicle and found he had struck his daughter, Mealy said.

Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock said officials from the coroner’s office were on scene Thursday evening.

Mealy said the death is under investigation, but at this point, “it appears to be a very tragic accident,” and there is no reason to think any criminal charges will be filed.