Tonight, police have more details on the accident that killed 11-year-old Keiana Cruz in Santa Familia village on Thursday evening. She and her 5 year old brother Jahir were knocked down by an out of control vehicle while walking home.
The driver of the pickup truck, Saudy Joseph Landero has been charged with manslaughter by negligence, driving without due care and attention, and causing death by careless conduct - along with failing to give a sample. Police say they still don't know what caused him to veer off the road and hit the kids, and then not come to a stop for another 200 feet!:
ACP Joseph Myvette
"Apparently the driver lost control of the vehicle because after knocking down both minors he then collided into a light post which was a little distance away some 200 feet from the incident on an off road in Santa Familia Village."
Reporter
"Was it a result of alcohol, mechanical failure - what exactly?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"The vehicle will be inspected to see whether or not he genuinely lost control because of some mechanical failure. However, as the procedure would dictate samples were requested from him which he refused to provide."
Reporter
"You mentioned that the vehicle stop about 200 feet away from the scene. Does that show trying to run away from the scene or it's just the speed that this person was travelling unable to stop?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"Apparently it's the speed that he was traveling on. Remember he did not have control, he lost control of the vehicle which caused the accident."
Little Jahir is in a stable condition at the KHMH.
