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5-year-old killed in crash that sent car over cliff in Washington County

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — A 5-year-old girl was killed Friday morning in a crash that sent her family's car over a cliff in Washington County.

The accident was reported on Majorsville Road in West Finley Township.

Channel 11’s Cara Sapida reported that Latasha Stout, 23, was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash. She was “shaken up pretty bad,” West Finley Volunteer Fire Chief Stephen Emery said, but not injured.

Her daughter, Taylor Stout, was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators told Sapida that Taylor was in a booster seat, but the seat did not appear to be properly restrained.

Police said Taylor was ejected through the driver’s side window and first responders found her under the engine of the car. Fire crews used ropes to rappel down the hillside to reach the vehicle.

“She told police she was forced off the road, down a very steep embankment, where her daughter was ejected from the vehicle and died instantly,” Washington County Tim Warco said.

Chief Emery said Stout’s family has been staying at the Four Seasons Camp Ground, and Latasha just dropped her husband off at work.

“This ranks as one of the toughest ones. Anytime there’s a child involved,” Warco said. “All of the rescue people, the police were having a very difficult time.”

Emery told Channel 11’s Dave Bondy that if there were guardrails on the windy road, the accident may have been prevented.

“If the guiderail would have been at the top of the road, chances are, yes, the car probably wouldn't have been over the hill where it was and could have possibly been a chance,” Emery said.

If you have a location where you feel a guardrail is warranted, you can call your local PennDOT maintenance office at 800-FIX-ROAD.