A community in central Massachusetts is grappling with a profound sense of loss after a 10-year-old girl was hit and killed by a driver in Webster over the weekend. The victim, Marleigh Guevara, a fourth-grade student known for her vibrant personality, died following a pedestrian crash that occurred Saturday afternoon.
The incident took place on School Street shortly before 1 p.m. On Saturday. According to the Webster Police Department, the tragedy was marked by a desperate attempt to save the child’s life. a passerby equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED) performed CPR on Guevara before first responders arrived on the scene. Despite these immediate efforts, Guevara later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
The loss has sent shockwaves through the local school system and the tight-knit neighborhood where the Guevara family resides. On Monday, the focus shifted from the trauma of the crash to a collective effort to honor the life of a child described by those who knew her as a “bright light” within her community.
A Neighborhood in Mourning
On Monday night, police closed off the section of School Street where the accident occurred—the same street where the family home is located—to make way for a candlelight vigil. Dozens of residents gathered to share stories and offer support, hugging one another as they remembered the 10-year-old girl.
Esteban Carrasco, Jr., the family’s pastor, spoke to the crowd about Marleigh’s character, describing her as energetic and consistently lovable. “Marleigh was energetic, always had a smile. Someone that was always, always loveable. She had love for others,” Carrasco said. He urged the community to carry her heart and legacy forward, noting that she was someone who opened her heart to others even in the face of trouble or hate.
For her mother, Heather Pereira, the loss is an incomprehensible void. Pereira wrote that Marleigh possessed a rare kind of light. “She wasn’t just my daughter… she was a sister to four beautiful girls who now have to grow up without her,” Pereira said. “They are heartbroken, confused, and trying to understand something that doesn’t make sense.”
Impact on Park Avenue Elementary
The tragedy has deeply affected the student body at Park Avenue Elementary School. Monique Pierangeli, the school superintendent, released a statement expressing the heartbreak felt by the faculty and students. “At just 10 years old, Marleigh was a bright light in our school community, full of promise, curiosity, and joy,” Pierangeli said.
To support the children and staff, grief counselors were deployed to the school on Monday to provide immediate emotional assistance. Friends of the family, including Ashley Heath, emphasized the need for the community to rally around the Guevara family during this time, hoping they receive the support they need as they navigate their grief.
Investigation and Police Response
The driver involved in the crash has been identified by police as a 35-year-old resident of Southbridge. The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office is currently collaborating with Webster police to investigate the circumstances of the accident. As of the latest reports, officials have not announced whether any criminal charges will be filed.
Webster Police Chief Michael Shaw provided some preliminary details regarding the driver, stating that there were no immediate signs of intoxication and that the driver possessed an active license. Shaw spoke candidly about the emotional toll such an event takes on law enforcement officers, many of whom are parents themselves. “These are the worst calls we head to,” Shaw said.
The horror of the moment was echoed by neighbors. Jason D’Andrea, who lives near the site of the crash, recalled hearing a “loud bang” and the agonizing feeling of helplessness even as waiting for emergency services to arrive. “When you’re sitting there looking at a child and a car with a big dent in it and they’re not moving, time’s ticking and every second feels like forever,” D’Andrea said.
In a statement reflecting the town’s mood, the police department noted that when a community loses a child, “it loses a piece of its soul.”
Summary of Known Details
| Category | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Marleigh Guevara, 10 years old |
| Location | School Street, Webster, MA |
| Time of Incident | Saturday, shortly before 1:00 p.m. |
| Driver | 35-year-old resident of Southbridge |
| Investigating Agency | Webster Police & Worcester County DA |
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision. The next official update is expected to reach from the Massachusetts State Police or the District Attorney’s office should charges be filed or novel evidence be released.
If you or a loved one are struggling with grief or the loss of a child, support is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
We invite you to share your memories of Marleigh or leave a message of support for the family in the comments below.
