Girl, 4, killed while crossing road with family

Smyrna police do not expect to file charges against the driver that struck a mother and her four children early Monday, killing a young girl.

The five were hit about 6:15 a.m. while trying to cross five-lane South Cobb Drive just north of King Springs Road, Smyrna police spokesman Michael Smith said.

Four-year-old Brandee Kelley was killed in the accident, Smith said. Her mother, Altamesa Walker, 31, and the three other children were taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries that he described as “superficial.” Smith said the other children ranged in age from about 2 to about 6.

Smith said Brandee Kelley was taken to Emory Adventist Hospital where she was placed on life support and flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, where she later was pronounced dead.

The family was not in a crosswalk when they were hit, and Smith said there was no indication of excessive speed “or any issues” concerning the driver’s operation of the vehicle.

He said the driver stopped after hitting the group and called 911.

The incident happened near a Cobb Community Transit bus stop, but Smith did not know if the family had just gotten off a bus or was headed to the bus stop.

The child’s uncle said the extended family is trying to cope.

“It is an extremely difficult time when you lose a granddaughter, a niece and a sister,” said Patrick Walker of Arizona. “She has a lot of family out of town but they are hanging in there.”

Patrick Walker said Brandee Kelley was quiet but fun-loving. When he last saw her in August, Brandee gave him a drawing of her immediate family.

“She is the kind of child that warms up to you and you love having around,” he said.

— Staff writer Derrick Mahone contributed to this article.