A 3-year-old-girl was killed north of Elverta on Thursday when a boy accidentally backed his family's car backed over his sister, the California Highway Patrol said.

Officer Kelly Baraga said the incident occurred shortly after 8 a.m. at a residence on Base Line Road just west of Locust Road.

Baraga said a 10-year-old boy went outside to start the family car, which is a stick shift.

The boy was unaware that the vehicle had been left in reverse. As he released the clutch, the 1991 Acura Integra lunged backward and pinned the girl.