Middle School Student Killed by Unattended SUV 'Rolling' Down a Hill While at Recess: Police

A middle school student was killed after being hit by an unattended SUV that rolled down a hill in Seattle while walking to recess, according to police.

The 12-year-old girl had just left lunch, and was walking to recess outside Washington Middle School when an SUV that a driver had failed to put in park rolled about 225 feet down a hill, hitting and killing the girl, KOMO reported.

The incident happened at about 1 p.m. Thursday, and the school issued a shelter-in-place order before later sending students home early, as reported by FOX 13.

Police said the SUV's owner is being investigated for any possible drug or alcohol use, which is standard procedure for such incidents.

Although the girl was not named, Principal Adrian Manriquez confirmed she was a sixth grader at the middle school.

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones said in a statement, "I am deeply saddened by this tragedy, and my thoughts and condolences are with the student's family, friends and the entire Washington community during this incredibly difficult time."

Jones told KOMO that officials "don't know specifically how this transpired" when asked about how the vehicle was able to hit the student, and reiterated that the incident remains under investigation.