Whitman, MA (WHDH) -- A man appears to have thrown himself in front of a vehicle to save his daughter.
A memorial grows for the 38-year-old man killed Sunday on Temple Street in Whitman.
Police say he was trying to cross the road with a four-year-old girl, when the two were hit by a pick-up truck.
"Just something you don't want to see," says Whitman Fire Chief Timothy Grenno, who lives near the scene.
Chief Grenno believes the man may have tried to pull the girl out of harm's way.
"It was quite obvious that he took the direct impact of the vehicle," explains Chief Grenno. "I think this guy's an actual hero, because there could've been two people killed from this."
Police say the man had recently moved to Whiteman from Lynn.
Friends and neighbors are stunned.
"I've seen him a lot. he has a very good bond with his daughter," says neighbor Kate Hasenfus. "She was just always a typical, average, adorable, little kid."
Police sayt eh 46-year-old driver isn't facing any charges at this time.
"He was visibly upset for good reason," says Whitman Police Chief Scott Benton.
Officers took the man's cell phone as they continue to investigate the crash.
"He's indicating to us that he didn't see them. they came out and he had no chance to avoid the crash," says Chief Benton.
The victim's name has not been released.