COMMUNITY MOURNS: 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL KILLED IN WEBSTER PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT

“Marleigh Rose Pereira Identified as Victim in School Street Collision”

WEBSTER, MA — A 10-year-old girl has died following a vehicle-pedestrian collision on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The Webster Police Department and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, which occurred while the child was playing outside her residence.

The Incident: Saturday, April 11, 2026

The emergency unfolded during the mid-afternoon hours in a residential section of the town.

• The Crash: At approximately 2:10 PM, Webster Police received multiple 911 calls reporting a child struck by a vehicle in the area of School Street.

• The Scene: Witnesses reported hearing a loud impact and running outside to find the young girl lying in the roadway. The vehicle involved remained at the scene.

• Emergency Response: Neighbors and arriving officers immediately began life-saving measures, including chest compressions and the use of a defibrillator.

• The Outcome: The victim, identified by family members as Marleigh Rose Pereira, was transported via ambulance to a local hospital. Despite the exhaustive efforts of medical staff, she was pronounced deceased later that afternoon.

Investigation & Driver Identification

The Webster Police Department, assisted by the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, spent several hours processing the scene on Saturday.

• The Driver: Authorities have identified the operator of the vehicle as 24-year-old Johnathan Miller of Webster.

• Status: As of Monday, April 13, no criminal charges have been filed. Police stated that Miller remained at the scene and has been fully cooperative with the ongoing investigation.

• Factors Under Review: Investigators are examining vehicle speed, potential distractions, and environmental factors. Preliminary reports do not indicate that impairment was a factor in the collision.

A Family and Neighborhood in Grief

Marleigh Rose Pereira is being remembered as a vibrant and beloved member of her family. Her mother shared a poignant tribute, describing her daughter as a “beautiful soul” taken far too soon.

• The Scene Memorial: A growing memorial of flowers, stuffed animals, and candles has been established on School Street near the site of the accident.

• Support Services: The Webster Public School District has announced that grief counselors will be available for students and staff throughout the week to help the community process the loss.

“I keep waiting to wake up from this nightmare… my beautiful Marleigh was taken from me in a tragic accident.” — Statement from the Pereira Family

Safety and Witness Appeal

The Webster Police Department is continuing to piece together the final moments leading up to the crash.

• Call for Evidence: Residents in the School Street and Lake Street areas are asked to check their doorbell cameras or home security systems for any footage captured between 2:00 PM and 2:20 PM on Saturday.

• Contact Information: Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Webster Police Detective Bureau at (508) 943-1212.

Current Status: The investigation remains active. Funeral arrangements for Marleigh Rose Pereira have not yet been publicly finalized.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the sudden loss of a child or a traumatic event, support is available 24/7 through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.