ORLANDO, Fla. – A 5-year-old girl was killed Saturday night in a hit-and-run crash near Lake Fairview in Orlando, and authorities continue to search for the driver who fled the scene, officials said.
The girl, identified by her mother as Aiyanna McCoy, died in the crash, which happened around 9:50 p.m. on North Orange Blossom Trail near Ace Road.
Orlando police said Monday that five people, including Aiyanna and her two sisters, ages 4 and 9, were riding in a Nissan Pathfinder that was struck by a vehicle.
Aiyanna was taken to a hospital, where she died, police said. Aiyanna’s aunt, 26, suffered “significant injuries” but was expected to survive and Aiyanna’s two sisters suffered minor injuries. The man driving the SUV, a 54-year-old man, was not injured.
Aiyanna’s mother, who said she’s not ready to comment publicly about her daughter’s death, was not in the vehicle. She said Aiyanna was a kindergartner at Orange Center Elementary School in Orlando and loved to dance and sing and to perform gymnastics.
Orange Center Elementary School sent a voicemail (listen below) to parents, alerting them of Aiyanna’s death.
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“Today I was notified of the tragic death of one of our students,” Orange Center Elementary School Principal Erin Albert said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they go through this extremely difficult time.”
Albert said grief counselors are at the school for students and staff members.
Police said the suspect was driving a silver Mercedes that became inoperable after the crash. The driver ran away before being picked up by another vehicle, according to police. It’s not known what type of vehicle picked him up.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.
OBT was closed in the area until noon Sunday.
An investigation is ongoing.
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