Todd Heap accidentally hits, kills 3-year-old daughter while moving truck

[thabear04]

Retired Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap accidentally struck and killed his 3-year-old daughter Friday afternoon while moving his truck, according to Mesa, Arizona, police.

The incident happened in the driveway of a home in the gated community of Las Sendas. Police responded to a car/pedestrian accident about 3:45 p.m. and were told the girl was on the driveway when Heap moved the truck forward and hit her.

She was taken to a local hospital, where she died, police said.

Heap exhibited no signs of impairment, according to officials. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Heap played 10 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens after being selected in the first round of the 2001 draft, and two with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring in 2012.

"We cannot imagine the heartbreak and sorrow Todd and Ashley's family feels right now," the Ravens said in a statement. "This is knee-buckling news and an overwhelmingly sad tragedy. Our prayers, our thoughts and our hearts are with the Heaps, who have contributed so much to the Ravens and Baltimore community. We believe their deep faith and tremendous support from friends and family will help them through this unimaginable time."

"Our hearts go out to Todd, Ashley and the Heap family," the Cardinals said in a statement. "It is a grief that is beyond words and one which no family should ever experience. Hopefully the prayers, love and support of their incredible group of friends and family provide them comfort that along with their strong faith will lead them through this unspeakably difficult time."

Heap is a native of Mesa and was a two-time All-Pac-10 selection for Arizona State before heading to the NFL.

[Demonpenz]

Telling people is the worst. Whenever someone dies it would be nice not to talk to anyone again, but you have well doers trying to say shit that they think helps. I know I had a family member die on a doctors table and people were like sue the doctor sue the hospital this and that and I was like I just want to move on.

[bricks]

Very sad

This guy will be in my prayers

[WilliamTheIrish]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Horrible

But how does this happen? When my kids were young I was constantly aware of where they were at in relation to my car.

In my 15 years of working in a children's hospital, you'd be surprised at how often the phrase, "I only looked away for second" resulting in something catastrophic happening to a infant/toddler/child.

[Mr. Laz]

Gonna block this thread

Don't want to see it each day and get sad all over again.

[WilliamTheIrish]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

These. I'm terrified when I have to operate tractors and sprayers while people are around.

In sabetha several years ago I took care of a 4 year old who was helping grampa with the harvest.

Thinking the kid was away from the tractor, grampa backed over him.

Fractured femur, fractured pelvis, tore his urethra. But, he healed up perfectly, after pinning the pelvis and having a urostomy. Urethra healed and 18 months later, threw a huge party for him at the urology clinic after he was released. Still have thank you card from his grandpa.

[RobBlake]

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

In sabetha several years ago I took care of a 4 year old who was helping grampa with the harvest.

Thinking the kid was away from the tractor, grampa backed over him.

Fractured femur, fractured pelvis, tore his urethra. But, he healed up perfectly, after pinning the pelvis and having a urostomy. Urethra healed and 18 months later, threw a huge party for him at the urology clinic after he was released. Still have thank you card from his grandpa.

are you a doctor?

[WilliamTheIrish]

Originally Posted by RobBlake

are you a doctor?

No. Hell no.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

In sabetha several years ago I took care of a 4 year old who was helping grampa with the harvest.

Thinking the kid was away from the tractor, grampa backed over him.

Fractured femur, fractured pelvis, tore his urethra. But, he healed up perfectly, after pinning the pelvis and having a urostomy. Urethra healed and 18 months later, threw a huge party for him at the urology clinic after he was released. Still have thank you card from his grandpa.

Sweet Jesus.

[hawkchief]

Originally Posted by RobBlake

are you a doctor?

Are you serious? Evidently you haven't read his posts. He's got the common sense of a door knob.

Think Focker, Gaylord M Focker.

[JohnnyHammersticks]

Originally Posted by Why Not?

Would be very hard for me to not eat a bullet. Not sure how one ever copes with this.

No shit. How do you move forward? Do you take down pictures? Even with strong, strong faith in God, how can you deal with something like this? If you have other kids, you've got to plow through it, but you'd never ever be remotely the same again. Just incredibly horrible news.