It appeared to be a freak tragedy, but the fact that a 7-year-old girl died means that authorities are going to investigate thoroughly.

That victim was identified to the Weekly by coroner's officials as Mia Chatman of Gardena. She was struck by a vehicle at the end of a lowrider show in Santa Fe Springs on Sunday. Here's the thing:

Cops believe the event was illegal — with no permits involved, at least according to what one official with the Whittier department (which patrols Santa Fe Springs) told us.

The official said not only is the driver who hit the girl under investigation, but so are the event's organizers.

It happened Sunday about 7:30 p.m. at a warehouse at 10230 Freeman Ave. where the show took place, police said in a statement:

During the gathering, a vehicle struck a 7 year old female spectator, which resulted in her death.


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It's not clear if the girl was hit directly by a vehicle or if the vehicle hit a pallet of water stored in the warehouse that then toppled on her, a Santa Fe Springs fire official said.

About 200 people were at the event when the death happened, police said. The fire official told us the girl was pronounced dead at the scene by responding paramedics.

The question of the event's legality was a matter for Santa Fe Springs city administrative officials, police said.

The driver was not arrested or cited, but the investigation into his actions was ongoing, the Whittier police official told us.

*Headline was changed to reflect greater accuracy.

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