6-Year-Old Dies After Being Struck by Skid Steer Operated by Her Father: 'Her Joy and Love Lit Up Any Room'

A 6-year-old girl was fatally struck by a skid steer operated by her father on Saturday, Nov. 9 in Oswego, N.Y., Oswego County News Now, Syracuse.com and The Daily Mail report.

Grace Hinderliter died after local and state agencies responded to the emergency call on Saturday at 12:39 p.m. on Margaret Street, according to Oswego County News Now.

Grace’s father, Jeffrey Hinderliter, was operating a skid steer — a construction vehicle often used for digging and landscaping — along a wood line on his property.

Police say Grace came too close to the construction vehicle and out of Jeffrey’s view, per Oswego County News Now. She was struck by the machine and died on the scene.

“This is a tragic event that has deeply affected the Oswego community,” police chief Phil Cady said, according Oswego County News Now. “There have been multiple levels of coordination with the family, school district and first responders for assistance and counseling.”

No criminal charges will be filed against Jeffrey, the Oswego Police Department confirmed, per CNY Central.

Jeffrey previously worked for the New York State Department of Transportation and Department of State. In 2019, he was appointed city engineer and moved with his wife and their three children from Ilion to Oswego.

A GoFundMe page was created on Sunday, Nov. 10, to help Grace’s family with funeral expenses. As of Friday, Nov. 15, the page has raised more than $46,000, exceeding its goal of $9,000.

Grace’s summer day camp, Camp Foundations, shared the news of Grace’s death in a Facebook announcement on Nov. 10: “Her joy and love lit up any room and she was a friend to all. Her smile could make anyone’s day become better. Our hearts hurt and grieve with them and the loss is insurmountable."

The Kingsford Park School second grader “was a beautiful girl, with a kind and loving heart, a creative mind, and endless energy,” her obituary read. “She had a creative eye and a special skill of turning trash into art, which she adorned her house with. She loved nature and enjoyed being active outside.” 

“Grace was a graceful dancer, who enjoyed dancing at Creation Studios with her friends. She loved her family, friends, teachers, and her church community.  But most of all, she loved God more,” her obituary continued. 

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A representative for Oswego Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Friday.