Police were called to the scene on 11th Street between Madison and Clifton avenues just after 2 p.m.

The toddler was walking with her father and older sister when she was knocked over by the car.

It is unclear if the girl was in the street or on the sidewalk when she was struck. "Unfortunately, still at this point we really don't know exactly how it occurred," says Patrolman David Silberstein. "There's too many unanswered questions as to where the child was when she was actually struck."

The father and the driver were able to remove the toddler from under the car, and handed her to first responders, who could not revive her. The child was taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, but was pronounced dead. 

The death is a devastating lost to the Orthodox Jewish community and beyond. "I work with children. So it breaks your heart," says Christine Rose, of Toms River. "And my granddaughter just turned two so you know, when you hear about a child, this happening, it just sickens your stomach."

Police have not said if any charges will be filed against the driver, who they say was pulling into the driveway to pick up his own kids.

Former Lakewood Mayor Meir Lichtenstein says the accident should serve as a reminder to drivers and pedestrians to be more careful.