JULY 27, 2009 - A 4-year-old girl riding on a bicycle with her father was killed when they were struck by a San Diego trolley, authorities said. Veronica Ramirez of Chula Vista died while trying to cross the tracks with her father. They were riding west on L Street, just west of Industrial Boulevard, when the accident occurred, according to Chula Vista police. The girl was in a child seat but was not wearing a helmet when the collision occurred about 6:30 p.m., authorities said. Witnesses told police that the father entered the intersection after the automatic arms that prevent vehicles from crossing the tracks had been lowered, authorities said. The father and daughter were thrown about 40 feet down the tracks after the collision, authorities said. The girl was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after the accident at Rady Children’s Hospital in Kearny Mesa, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner. The 34-year-old father was being treated at a San Diego Hospital for a broken hip and possible internal injuries, police said. The Metropolitan Transit System, which operates the trolley line, is investigating the trolley accident.

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