Six-year-old pedestrian struck, killed in parking lot near Forest Grove Dollar Tree

A six-year-old pedestrian was killed Friday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle in a parking lot near the Forest Grove Dollar Tree, Forest Grove Police Chief Henry Reimann told News in the Grove.

The driver was cooperating with police, Reimann said.

The identity of the child and that of the driver are not being released, police said.

After child’s death, “no need to post blame,” say first responders

“There is no need to post blame, the thing has happened, and the people involved, as well as the witnesses to this horrific scene, will never have that day gone from their minds,” said Forest Grove Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Dave Nemeyer in a social media post made Friday.

News in the GroveChas Hundley

Reimann was on scene at the location, where the agency had taped off a large section of the parking lot near Godfather's Pizza and Dollar Tree. The south entrance to the Ballad Towne Square shopping center off 19th Way was closed.

Around 4:45 p.m., Reimann said the crash area would likely be closed for four to five hours while the county's interagency Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team investigated the scene.

One bystander said he was shopping in Dollar Tree, and heard part of the incident, describing several people rushing out of the store. 911 was dialed from inside Dollar Tree.

Emergency crews were quick to arrive.

"They came right away," said David M., who declined to give his last name.

Anyone who witnessed the crash was encouraged to contact non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111.

Also on scene were AMR, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the Washington County Medical Examiner and Forest Grove Fire & Rescue.

This is a developing story and will be updated as further information is confirmed.