5-year-old struck and killed by car in Aiken County identified

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Aiken County Coroner’s Office has identified the 5-year-old who was killed after being struck by a car on New Year’s Eve.

The coroner has identified the victim as Merinn Purcell, who said she was in the front yard of a home at 161 Raborn Road when she was struck by a car entering the property.

Purcell was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:36 after the coroner’s office and crews responded shortly after 4 p.m.

An autopsy has been scheduled for next week in Newberry.

The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are investigating.