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Remember her niece, Mukta Bhakta has trouble holding back the tears.
"She was the first child in the family," she says. "When Suhani was born, I felt like I became a mother."
Suhani Bhakta was 12 years old when she died last Sunday. She was crossing Broadway when she was struck and killed by a police vehicle. She was not in the crosswalk. Officials say a near-by SUV was probably blocking the officer's view.
"I'm going to miss all those Mother's days she called me to say 'HappyMother's Day, Aunt.'"
Currently using lights and sirens is based on a police policy. After a similar incident in 2009, Eyewitness News found out the policy states officers can turn their lights and sirens on when going to a call to protect lives, during a chase with a suspect or when pulling people over. Police say they review their policies every year. When asked Friday if it's been updated or revised, we were told that information could only be released by the Police Chief.
The family is supporting a petition urging police to change the policy, requiring officers to use the lights and sirens when going to a crime scene. The petition is also asking that to become a city law.
The Highway Patrol continues to investigate the accident.