March 4 bicycle accident in Merced kills a seven-year-old girl

On March 4 Joanna Topete was killed when she was hit by a car while riding her bike in Merced. According to reports Joanna was riding her bicycle on the sidewalk near the Sunny View Apartments on D Street in Merced when she turned into the parking lot of the apartment complex. Joanna was then hit by a truck. The truck was leaving the parking lot as Joanna entered. She died at the scene of the accident. The driver of the truck stopped and got out to help Joanna. He was not driving under the influence at the time of the accident.