"Unreal:" 3-year-old girl celebrating birthday struck by car & killed near 84th & Marion

Jayda Handy

MILWAUKEE -- A three-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle at her own birthday party near 84th and Marion Saturday afternoon, August 6th -- and later died at the hospital. Her family is devastated. They carried on with her birthday party, because they said it's what she would have wanted.

"It's just still unreal to me that this happened," said Jaylen Handy, Jayda's father.

Handy was heartbroken as he held onto a cake he'll never be able to give to his little girl.

"She was just here preparing for her party all morning," said Jaylen Handy.

Three-year-old Jayda Handy died Saturday afternoon after being transported to Children's Hospital.

The little girl was getting ready to celebrate when she saw her grandfather arrive for her birthday party.

"She saw her granddad. She ran over there," said Jaylen Handy.

Police say she ran through traffic near 84th and Marion, when she was struck by a vehicle.

"He was flying through here and, you know, he hit her," said Jaylen Handy.

Jayda Handy was rushed to Children's Hospital -- where she later died.

Jayda Handy

"Everybody is going to miss her. She had an impact on everybody," Jaylen Handy said.

Jaylen Handy

Family members and friends gathered in the park across the street, celebrating the life of a little girl.

"Everybody was here for a happy gathering and it turned into this," said Jaylen Handy.

A day that was meant to be filled with smiles, turned into a day to remember a young life taken suddenly.

"She was just a happy baby. Always happy. Always happy. Everybody loved her," said Jaylen Handy.

Family members said all week, Jayda had been singing "Happy Birthday" -- and that's what made this so sad.

Police said the driver was legally operating the vehicle. No citations are expected.

A GoFundMe.com account has been set up to help pay funeral costs. CLICK HERE to make a donation.