Little girl, 6, is left to die on street after hit-and-run driver mowed her down in Charlotte suburb, cops say
A six-year-old girl was killed in a hit-and-run in North Carolina last Friday.
Mariana Espinoza was hit by an unknown car at approximately 3.21pm near the Oak Forest neighborhood located about eight miles east of Uptown Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
The tragic accident occurred at the intersection of Barrington Drive and Lanecrest Drive on October 23, police said. Espinoza died in the hospital on October 24.
‘The vehicle, last seen heading north on Barrington Drive from the scene, is described as a grey 2012-2015 Mercedes Benz C250 with a sunroof and heavy damage to the front grille,’ CMPD wrote on their Facebook post asking the public’s help in identifying the driver.
‘At the time of the incident, the vehicle had black rims, a black/matte gas cap cover door,’ the description of the vehicle stated.
The car had a temporary license plate on it at the time of the incident, police said.
CMPD arrested Lachevis Finnie, 17, who was suspected to be the driver, on October 26, court documents showed.
Finnie did not have a valid driver’s license and fled the scene without contacting law enforcement, according to court documents. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 27th.
Mariana Espinoza was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run last Friday in a suburban neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina
Mariana Espinoza was a valuable student at Devonshire Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina
Police shared an image of the car involved in the tragic incident, asking the public for their help in identifying its driver
The investigation is ongoing and has been taken over by CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit.
Espinoza was a valued student at Devonshire Elementary School, WBTV reported.
A school district spokesperson told the outlet: ‘We know this loss will be deeply felt throughout our school community. We are working closely with school leadership to ensure students, families, and staff have the care and support they need in the days ahead.’
The girl’s family started a GoFundMe to raise funds to cover funerary expenses.
‘Rest in peace, little Mariana. Your six years of life will live forever in the hearts of those who love you,’ the family wrote.
