Millers Falls and nearby Greenfield are in mourning after 3-year-old Carolina Lyvytska was struck and killed by a vehicle in her family's driveway. Neighbors, church members and relatives have gathered this week to remember Carolina and support her family as investigators work to understand how the tragedy unfolded.
Police: Child Hit in Family Driveway
Montague Police Chief Jason Haskins told reporters that emergency personnel were called to the home at 6:39 p.m. on Wednesday after the child was struck in the driveway. The matter has been turned over to prosecutors for review, according to the Greenfield Recorder. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances of the crash while the Northwestern District Attorney's Office examines the case.
Services Drew a Large Turnout
Relatives, friends and members of Slavic-area churches gathered at Kostanski Funeral Home before a burial at High Street Cemetery and a memorial meal at Providence Moldovan Baptist Church, with crowds spilling into the church basement, the Greenfield Recorder reports. "She was an angel sent from heaven," Carolina's aunt Ludmila Sherstyukova said outside the service, praising the girl's smile and gratitude. Mourners traveled from across the U.S. and beyond to attend, family members told the paper.
Local Support and Logistics
Kostanski Funeral Home in Greenfield handled the arrangements while funeral staff and police coordinated traffic and a procession to the cemetery. The burial took place at High Street Cemetery, one of Greenfield's longstanding burial grounds, according to City-Data. Kostanski Funeral Home has provided services for generations of area families.
Investigation and What Comes Next
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office, which has jurisdiction over Franklin County, will review the police file and any evidence collected to determine whether criminal charges are warranted; the office also oversees prosecutions in the region. For background on the office's role, see the Northwestern District Attorney's Office website. Local prosecutors' decisions generally follow standard investigative steps and can take time as officials notify family members and gather witness statements.
Family members said they are grateful for the community's support but asked for privacy as they begin to grieve. Officials say the investigation remains active and have not provided further public comment.
