![Shea Heights holds vigil for 5-year-old girl struck and killed while riding her bicycle](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6929045.1691242412!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/shelly-saunders.jpg)
Shea Heights holds vigil for 5-year-old girl struck and killed while riding her bicycle
CBC
The St. John's neighbourhood of Shea Heights gathered Friday night to mourn the loss of a five-year-old girl who was struck while riding her bicycle in the community.
The young girl, named Autumn, was struck by a pickup truck on Druken Crescent on Wednesday around 4:00 p.m. She was brought to the hospital but died soon after.
Approximately 200 people joined in the vigil, with many wearing purple and carrying balloons.
Autumn's grandmother Shelly Saunders says it was amazing to see the community come together to support the family and remember her granddaughter.
"It's amazing. It's amazing to see the love and the support that Shea Heights community gives to their loved ones and their family in the neighbourhood," Saunders said.
"There's not many people that would do what they did today and [pray] for my granddaughter."
She urged drivers to be careful as well.
"I know this was a complete accident, but if you're driving, you've got to realize there's children everywhere. This little girl, my granddaughter, now has been taken from me," said Saunders.
She also has compassion for the driver, who she knows as a good man.
"She didn't deserve this. And like I said, I don't blame the man. It was a mistake, an innocent mistake. I could do it. You could do it," she said.
Still, Saunders said people need to be aware of their surroundings when behind a wheel.
"So please, just remember when you're driving, think of Autumn and your own children and your own grandchildren that this could be them next," she said.
Saunders is also asking the city to install speed bumps in Shea Heights in Autumn's honour, adding her other granddaughter in the area is deaf. She wants to see the area made safe for children.
"We need this for our children to be safe."