Child accidentally shoots gun from back seat of car, killing driver, Illinois cops say

A young child fired a gun from the back seat of a car, killing a driver in an accidental shooting, Illinois police say.

The Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office says a 64-year-old woman crashed the vehicle into a sign at a gas station in Tilton, a small town in east central Illinois, on Sunday afternoon, The News-Gazette reported. Police say witnesses ran to the car and found the driver badly injured, according to the newspaper.

Police say the child found the gun in the car and accidentally shot through the seat, striking the woman in her back, WAND reported.

The Champaign County coroner identified the woman as Marita Hile, a Westville resident, according to WICS. Hile died at a hospital, WCIA reported.

Officials say the 4-year-old child was Hile’s family member, according to WCIA.

The shooting remains under investigation, the news outlet reported.