Loved ones gather to plant tree for 7-year-old killed in Minneapolis bicycle accident

Penny's little brother Pierce Thompson, 3, waters a service berry tree that had just been planted during a tree planting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 for seven year-old Penelope "Penny" Thompson who was killed when a motorist hit her while she was riding her bicycle on September 4, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn. The event brought together family, neighbors, friends, council member Emily Koski and several first responders including the two firefighters who responded to the scene and rode with Penny in the ambulance. The tree was planted across the street from her home.

Renée Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

Penny's parents including her father Patrick Thompson and mother Hayley Wender speak to the crowd during a tree planting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 for seven year-old Penelope "Penny" Thompson who was killed when a motorist hit her while she was riding her bicycle on September 4, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn. Hayley is reading a Robert Frost poem in this photos.

Renée Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

Firefighter Andre Plante scoops soil onto a freshly planted service berry tree during a tree planting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 for seven year-old Penelope "Penny" Thompson who was killed when a motorist hit her while she was riding her bicycle on September 4, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn. Plante was one of two fire firghters who were first to respond to the scene and rode with Penny in the ambulance.

Renée Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

Firefighter Angelo Bracero embraces Penny's mother Hayley Wender during a tree planting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 for seven year-old Penelope "Penny" Thompson who was killed when a motorist hit her while she was riding her bicycle on September 4, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn. Bracero was one of two fire firghters who were first to respond to the scene and rode with Penny in the ambulance. "It's was the worst thing I've ever seen," said an emotional Bracero.

Renée Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

A group of children embrace Penny's father Patrick Thompson after a tree planting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 for seven year-old Penelope "Penny" Thompson who was killed when a motorist hit her while riding her bicycle on September 4, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn.

Renée Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

Council Member Emily Koski speaks to the crowd during a tree planting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 for seven year-old Penelope "Penny" Thompson who was killed when a motorist hit her while riding her bicycle on September 4, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn.

Renée Jones Schneider - Star Tribune