The child’s father was also injured, while police detained a person of interest as investigators examined what led to the collision.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A 1-year-old girl died after she and her father were struck by a vehicle Sunday afternoon near St. Mary Cemetery in south Sacramento, police said. The man was hospitalized with injuries described as moderate.
Sacramento police responded around 4:45 p.m. Nov. 1 to the 6700 block of 21st Avenue after receiving reports of a collision involving a vehicle and pedestrians. Officers found the man and his young daughter injured, and both were taken to an area hospital for treatment.
The girl died despite lifesaving efforts, according to police. Authorities had initially described the juvenile’s injuries as life-threatening before confirming her death. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office was expected to release her identity after her family was notified.
The driver remained at the scene after the collision. Police detained a person of interest while investigators worked to determine that person’s involvement. Authorities had not announced criminal charges as of Monday, and the detention itself does not establish criminal responsibility.
Police also had not confirmed whether alcohol or drugs played a role. Investigators were examining whether driving under the influence may have been a factor, but officials had not released a finding on impairment or explained what caused the vehicle to strike the pedestrians.
The crash occurred in the 6700 block of 21st Avenue near St. Mary Cemetery. Early reports differed on whether the impact happened on cemetery property or along the nearby roadway. Police initially said they could not confirm the precise location of the impact, leaving that detail among the questions under investigation.
Detectives with the Sacramento Police Department’s Major Collision Investigation Unit and crime scene investigators took over the case. Their work included examining the collision scene and gathering information about the circumstances leading up to the impact.
Few details about the sequence of events had been released by Monday morning. Police had not publicly described the vehicle’s movement before the collision, identified the person of interest or said whether any arrest had been made. Officials also had not announced whether surveillance video or witness accounts were available.
The father remained hospitalized after suffering moderate injuries, according to the latest available report. Police continued investigating the fatal collision, including the driver’s actions and whether impairment contributed to the crash.
Author note: Last updated November 2, 2026.