Officials on Wednesday released the identity of the girl who was hit by an SUV driver and killed while riding her bike in front of her family's south Minneapolis home.
Seven-year-old Penelope Wender Thompson suffered multiple injuries about 8:30 a.m. Monday when she was struck by the vehicle in the 5600 block of S. 2nd Avenue, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office said.
Penelope was taken by emergency responders to HCMC, where she was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later, according to the Examiner's Office.
Police said the girl was riding from her driveway into the street when she was struck by the SUV. The driver, a 39-year-old man who lives nearby, immediately pulled over and began to render aid to the girl, police said.
Investigators interviewed witnesses at the scene and "no criminality is suspected" on the part of the driver, a police statement said.
"Penny was a fun-loving and spirited young girl who touched the hearts of everyone she met," according to a fund-raising campaign started by the youngster's Girl Scout troop on behalf of her family. "Her smile could brighten up the darkest days, and her love for her friends was boundless."
On Tuesday, members of Troop 18965 released a balloon for Penny "in hopes that it reaches her in heaven," the post said.
