Tears flowed in Novato as word got out that a 12-year-old girl died Thursday evening of injuries suffered when she was struck by an SUV while riding her bike home from school at around 3 p.m.

The Marin County coroner's office identified the Novato girl who died Thursday afternoon when her bicycle collided with an SUV as Hailey Ratliff. Coroner's office Lt. Keith Boyd said an autopsy was scheduled for Friday. Through a series of messages sent to Novato Patch and notes posted to Facebook, the victim has been identified as Hailey Ratliff, a Sinaloa Middle School student who moved to Novato over the summer with her family from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Several people who identified themselves as her relatives posted "rest in peace" messages on their Facebook pages Thursday night and sent messages to Novato Patch asking for prayers for the family.

"She is our niece and we love her very much — such a pretty loving little girl who had a very bright future," wrote her aunt, Laura McCarty. "Her father and mother are wonderful people they are very giving and loving. She will be truly missed forever. RIP we all love you." Another relative, Crystal Ratliff-Chavez, wrote: "Thank you all for your prayers and concerns. This sweet and beautiful little girl was my niece. She ended up passing this afternoon. My brother and family are new to the area. We really appreciate the support from the community. Thank you all for the love and support you continue to show."

The Novato Police Department confirmed the death in a release at 8:55 p.m. A nursing supervisor at Oakland Children's Hospital referred a call about Ratliff's health to the Alameda County Coroner's Office. At 2:59 p.m. Thursday, Novato police and fire officials responded to the crash site on Novato Boulevard just west of San Marin High School and just east of Sandy Creek Way. Ratliff was riding west on Novato Boulevard west of Sutro Avenue when she was struck in the roadway by an eastbound SUV around 3 p.m., Novato police said.

Welch said the child was on a bike, was struck just in front of a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. substation. Ratliff was rushed to Novato Community Hospital and was then flown to Oakland Children's Hospital and Research Center, where she died at about 5:30 p.m., Welch said.

The driver of the SUV, a man who was not identified by police, remained on scene after the accident and cooperated with the investigation, Welch said. There were no signs of impairment or traffic violations, according to the early report.

The cause of the collision has not been identified. More information about the collision will be available early next week as the traffic unit continues its investigation, Welch said. Any witnesses are asked to contact Novato police at 897-4361. Investigators will work with the Marin County Sheriff's Office Coroner Division, Welch said.