The News-Review
YONCALLA — A 6-year-old girl was killed Friday when a tractor backed over her on Anlauf Road, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Jessica Lee Weinhold of Yoncalla died at the scene of the incident that occurred at about 7 p.m. on the 2400 block, where the operator of the Mitsubishi crawler tractor had been clearing a road on private property.
The girl’s father, Dave Weinhold, 34, had given her a cold drink to bring to the tractor operator 42-year-old Rory Hoeffliger, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The child came up behind the tractor as the operator began to back up, and she was unable to get out of the way.
“He didn’t see her behind him, apparently,” said Dwes Hutson, Sheriff’s Office spokesman.
The deputy who responded to the scene deemed the incident an accidental death. The Douglas County deputy medical examiner also responded.
“At this point, it looks like it’s a very tragic accident,” Hutson said.