Tanker truck hits, kills girl in Akron

AKRON (AP) -- A tanker truck struck and killed a 12-year-old girl walking home from school, authorities said.
Marsha Sharice Hester was on her way home from Goodrich Middle School when she was hit around 3:30 p.m. Thursday. The man driving the tanker truck doesn't appear to be at fault, said Akron police Lt. Rick Edwards.
The truck driver told officers he pulled off Interstate 76 and was at a stop sign when he saw Marsha and another child playing just ahead of him, authorities said.
The children were playing in a grassy area on the south side of a one-way street. The driver looked in the rearview mirror as he passed them.
"He saw a flash hit the side of the truck, and he felt the impact," Edwards said. "He stopped the truck and got out and called 911."
Police said they don't think speed was a factor.
Marsha sang in the youth choir at True Deliverance Missionary Baptist Church.
"She was a very sweet girl," said the Rev. Charles Parmer, her pastor.