Probe into death of 7-year-old girl at car show continues

Police are continuing to investigate the death of a 7-year-old girl at a lowrider car show in Santa Fe Springs.

Several car clubs were gathered at a business in the 10200 block of Freeman Avenue on Sunday night, police said. Video of the event showed classic cars and lowriders souped up with hydraulics bouncing high into the air.

At about 7:30 p.m., one of the cars was leaving when the driver lost control. The vehicle hit the girl, killing her instantly, authorities said.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office had not yet publicly identify the girl or announced her cause of death. An autopsy had not yet been scheduled.

No arrests had been made in the incident, nor were any charges pending, authorities said. One question being addressed is whether permits had been obtained for the event.

“I’m very distraught. I’m very upset,” a tearful Patricia Scott -- identified as the girl’s great-aunt --told KTLA-TV. “This is really, really a shock.”

Witnesses told the TV station the event was held to showcase lowrider cars with custom hydraulics — which can make the vehicles jump several feet in the air, often above the heads of audience members.

The Whittier Police Department, which patrols neighboring Santa Fe Springs under contract, issued a short statement Monday on what it called a “traffic accident.”

“A vehicle upon exiting the building lost control and struck a 7-year-old girl, killing her instantly,” the statement read in part.

Coroner’s officials removed the victim’s body from the scene early Monday.

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Joseph.serna@latimes.com

Twitter: @josephserna