People in Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood are trying to come to terms with the killing of an 11-year-old girl on Tuesday night.

“I can’t believe this happened,” said Denise Parkin, a local resident and friend of the victim’s family.

Authorities were unable to confirm the girl’s identity on Tuesday evening.

Township Police Chief Brian Turack said emergency crews were dispatched to a call about a vehicle and pedestrian on North Canal Street between Kuntz and Kuhnert streets around 7:20 p.m.

Jim Erb, director of Citizens Hose Ambulance, said dispatch information indicated the victim was an unconscious and non-breathing 11-year-old girl. He declined to comment further on the incident.

Turack said the teen was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a hospital.

Allegheny County police said the girl died despite rescue attempts.

The district police said in a press release that “according to their preliminary information, the child was riding a bicycle when he was struck by the vehicle.”

However, some neighbors did not believe that she was riding a bicycle.

Parkin said she met the family years ago through Fun and Freedom, a Tarentum-area nonprofit religious organization that hosts a summer camp in Springdale and picnics in the park in Natrona.

Her daughter, Payton Hursh, is a trainer at the charity.

Parkin said they were very desperate and willing to do anything to help the victim’s family.

Penny Houston is one of the camp directors and board members of Fun and Freedom. Houston remembered the girl attending several events and being very friendly.

“It’s very, very sad,” Houston said. “We’ll be here for them, whatever they need.”

Greg Hirtz Jr. lives on North Canal Street. He said he did not know the girl personally, but often saw her riding up and down the street with her parents or on her bike. The girl lived near where she was hit, Hirtz said.

“I am devastated,” said Hirtz. “I feel sorry for the family.”

Other residents of North Canal also expressed their condolences to the family, but did not want to give their names.

The district police investigated until late in the evening. North Canal Street was closed from Federal Street to Kuhnert Street.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line at 833-ALL-TIPS (833-255-8477). Callers may remain anonymous.