8-Year-Old Shot and Killed Moments After Car Crash, Cops Searching for Suspects

The 8-year-old died at the hospital.

An 8-year-old girl survived a car crash in the early hours of Saturday morning only to be shot and killed moments later.

DeMaree Atkins was sleeping in the backseat of her mom’s Honda Accord on Sam Houston Parkway when a white Pontiac slammed into their car, according to reports.

Read: Man Suspected of Killing 3-Year-Old Boy During Road Rage Incident Turns Himself In

Houston Police said they believe the Pontiac was being chased by a black sedan at a high speed. According to authorities, after the crash, the driver of the sedan exited their vehicle and opened fire, hitting DeMaree in the chest while she sat in the backseat.

"I looked over and thought she (the woman in the other car) was trying to help," Thomas told ABC. "She pulled a gun out of the window and she started shooting. Each one of those bullets hit the back of my car where my baby was."

DaMaree’s mom, LaToyia Thomas, said she didn’t know her daughter had been shot and thought she was still sleeping until she pulled her out of the car.

"I laid her on the ground and when I looked at her jacket, I saw a blood stain. I pulled her shirt up, and she got shot - the bullet went in the right and came out the left side,” Thomas said.

Read: Police Release 911 Calls After 3-Year-Old Is Shot in Road Rage Shooting; Suspect Remains on the Loose

DaMaree was taken to the hospital but later died, according to police.

Police said both of the unknown drivers took off from the scene and they are still searching for them.

DaMaree’s family has started a GoFundMe to help with her funeral expenses.

Watch: Cops: Mother Gunned Down in Road Rage Incident as Her Two Children Watched