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No charges expected in death of Melissa Klassen, 6

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No charges are expected in the death of Melissa Klassen, the Elgin County six-year-old struck while running beside an SUV at a rural home.

Melissa was one of six siblings who lived with their parents, Pete and Trudy Klassen, in Springford, near Tillsonburg. She was also loved by many aunts, uncles and cousins, according to an online memorial.

She was struck by the vehicle Monday, though the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. She was rushed to hospital, where she was soon pronounced dead.

Family members couldn’t be reached for comment.

The incident isn’t considered suspicious and charges are unlikely, OPP Sgt. Dave Rektor said. He called it a sensitive investigation.

"It's kind of a delicate balance trying to protect the victims involved in this," Rektor said. "The truth is it happened on private property. The child was running beside the vehicle and the vehicle struck the child."

A visitation for Melissa is slated for Thursday at the Ostrander Funeral Home in Tillsonburg. A funeral will be held Friday in the adjoining chapel.

@STTJ_Pin

lpin@postmedia.com

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