by Mindy Aguon

Guam - A four-year-old girl is the latest traffic fatality victim on the island. Police who responded to the scene are having a hard time coping with what they saw on Wednesday night, as they say the girl's death and the crash could have completely been avoided. The young girl, who police believe was only wearing the lap strap of a seat belt, died from injuries she sustained in a car crash after the driver of the car fled from authorities.

Guam Police Department spokesperson Officer A.J. Balajadia says the crash could have been avoided if the driver of the car had simply complied with police by pulling over. A GPD Highway Patrol officer was attempting to conduct a traffic pull over after noticing the driver speeding at 62 miles an hour on Route 8. Balajadia told KUAM News, "All indications showed the operator of the Yaris was going to stop by pulling into the Shell service station (the former Burger King). Once the officer pulled into the parking lot area, the operator of the Yaris maneuvered around the gas pump and exited the gas station back out onto Route 8, headed towards the tri-intersection."

The driver attempted to flee from police and was clocked at going over 100 miles per hour and then running the red light at the Barrigada tri-intersection. "He ran the light, striking a Tucson being operated by a male individual who was turning left onto Route 10," Balajadia continued.

"After the collision, the Yaris hit a concrete pole and came to a rest."

Police were on the scene trying to get the driver of the Yaris out of the car, pulling him out from the passenger side. Nothing could prepare them for what they found next - the young girl's lifeless body lying on the floor in the back.

"The passenger seat was slightly reclined and she was down between the seat and the passenger side seat," the spokesman detailed. The officers indicated that they believe she was only strapped in with the seatbelt behind her waist."

Authorities were able to perform CPR and revive her but she passed away just after seven o'clock this morning at naval hospital.

The driver of the car she was riding in, whose identity has not yet been released, is listed in critical condition at the Guam Memorial Hospital and underwent surgery today. The driver of the Tucson is listed in stable condition.

Police are still trying to determine if alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash.

The girl's death marks the thirteenth traffic-related fatality this year to date. Her shocking and tragic death serves as a reminder to all in the community to buckle up and ensure children are properly restrained.