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Girl, 4, hit by car in Stoughton, dies

E-mail|Link|Comments () June 14, 2009 12:55 PM

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Mayuri Patel, 22, left and Priyanka Patel, 20, held a picture of Diya Patel, 4, their cousin who died after being struck by a car driven by a Canton woman in her late 80's. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

By Erin Ailworth, Globe Staff

STOUGHTON -- The 4-year-old girl struck by a car yesterday while crossing the street with family members has died, according to the Norfolk district attorney's office and family members.

Diya Patel, who police say was struck by a car driven by a Canton woman in her late 80s, was described by a relative as a quiet, smart, and obedient girl.

“To sum it up, she was one of a kind," Priyanka Patel said of her cousin’s daughter.

When Diya was with her grandparents and other family members, she would sit next to the adults and listen as they spoke, said Patel.

Diya Patel was transported to Tufts Medical Center in Boston after the accident, which occurred at 11:40 a.m. yesterday at the intersection of Washington and Lincoln streets, according to David Traub of the Norfolk district attorney's office. The driver of the Toyota Camry that authorities said struck the girl experienced shortness of breath and was transported to a hospital.

She has not been charged, according to Traub, who declined to release her name. She has been cooperating with authorities.

Near the site where Diya was hit, a single pink rose set off by baby’s breath had been left on the grass.

“She liked pink flowers, anything pink especially,” said Diya's uncle, Govind Patel.

Theresa Stanley of Stoughton took her two daughters, ages 7 and 12, to the site this afternoon with a bouquet of mixed flowers. “Our heart goes out to the family,” Stanley said.

Stanley said she wanted her daughters to learn two things from the accident: compassion for others and caution.

“You have to be observant," she said. "You have to be aware and use caution at all times.”