Elderly driver indicted in girl's death

DEDHAM, Mass. -- An 88-year-old driver has been indicted in the crosswalk death of a 4-year-old girl in Stoughton.

A Norfolk County grand jury on Thursday indicted Ilse Horn of Canton on a charge of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation.

The misdemeanor carries a maximum jail sentence of 2 1/2 years.

Police say Diya Patel was killed June 13 after she was struck by Horn's car while crossing a street in Stoughton with her grandfather and two siblings.

The accident was one of a series in June involving elderly drivers that has renewed calls for stronger driver license testing requirements.

Horn is also charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, a civil offense.

State officials have revoked her driver's license.

Horn's attorney, Michael Galvin, did not immediately return phone calls Thursday.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)