CLEVELAND, Ohio — Kimberly Black spent Friday in a Cleveland jail cell accused of taking a life and causing a violent string of events that resulted in her daughter's death as well.

Cleveland police said Kimshia Ruffin, Black's 2-year-old daughter, was run over Thursday evening by a car operated by Sharice Swain. Black had just repeatedly slashed Swain with a knife, according to police. A neighbor said he believes Swain was aiming the car at Black when Kimshia and her sister, Taraji Ruffin, were hit. The car came to rest after slamming into a house across East 125th Street.

Police said Black ripped off her clothes after cutting Swain. She ran off after her children were hit but was caught a short time later. She has not yet been charged.

Kimshia died at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Swain died in MetroHealth Medical Center. One-year-old Taraji is expected to recover from her injuries.

Don Freeman, who lives near the Black home, said he went outside to see who was arguing and saw a bleeding woman drive a car over two children.

"I try to erase the memory, but I can't," he said. "I just keep seeing that poor child getting hit. I wish I could get it out of my head."

Freeman said it looked as if Swain was trying to run over Black.

"The strangest thing, I only later realized that the other woman, my neighbor, was walking around nude. There was so much chaos, I didn't notice," Freeman said.

Police said Black and Swain began arguing a little after 9 p.m. while sitting in the front seat of a car that was backed into Black's driveway in the 3000 block of the street. The engine was running. Swain was in the driver's seat.

A police news release said Black left the car, went into her house and came back with a knife, using it to stab Swain in the face and neck.

Black then inexplicably took off her clothes, about the time her daughters came out of the house. All three gathered around the front of the car.

Police said Swain got the car moving and hit the children. The car then took out the porch of the house across the street.

An autopsy by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office said Swain died of stab wounds. An autopsy on Kimshia had not been completed. Black was treated for a hand injury before she was taken to jail.

Freeman said he had seen Swain in the past talking to Black. He believed they were friends.

He said Black moved into the house about four months ago.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: msangiacomo@plaind.com, 216-999-4890

Original post: 8:59 a.m.