7-year-old girl on bike killed after being hit by pickup

A 7-year-old girl who was riding her bike in Helena-West Helena died Wednesday after being hit by a pickup, authorities said.

It happened just after 7 p.m. on West Park Street east of Sam Street.

Arkansas State Police say the girl, identified as Makayla Hawkins, was riding a bicycle in the westbound lane of traffic when she was hit by a westbound GMC pickup.

Makayla was taken to Helena Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, police said in a report.

The pickup driver, identified as Authur L. English, 71, of Helena, was not injured.

Makayla was the 170th person to die in a traffic accident in Arkansas so far this year, according to preliminary figures.

Upcoming Events