4-year-old girl dies after SUV smashes through Florida daycare playground
Above: A look at today’s other headlines A 4-year-old girl died and another girl was injured after an SUV drove through a playground at an Arcadia daycare center and hit them, said a Florida Highway Patrol report. According to the report, the incident happened around 4:30 p.m. at the Imagination Station Learning Center on E. Magnolia Street in Arcadia. Highway Patrol said the driver left the road, hit a sign and drove through a fence surrounding the playground where two girls, ages 4 and 5, were playing. The SUV hit a pole and playground equipment and in the process collided with the girls. Then he hit a tree. 4-year-old girl Maleena Faith Valdez was rushed to hospital in critical condition and later died. Sister Jazziah was on the playground when the accident happened and heard a loud boom, but did not see the children being hit. The driver, Kiara Rishelle Morant, 18, was treated for minor injuries immediately after the accident and later arrested. and charged with driving without a license. She was later released on $120 bail, according to jail records online. Additional charges may be pending against Morant after the child’s death. Highway Patrol said the crash is still under investigation.
Above: A preview of today’s other big headlines
A 4-year-old girl died and another girl was injured after an SUV drove through a playground at an Arcadia daycare center and hit them, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
According to the report, the incident happened around 4:30 p.m. at the Imagination Station learning center on E. Magnolia Street in Arcadia.
Highway Patrol said the driver left the road, hit a sign and drove through a fence surrounding the playground where two girls aged 4 and 5 were playing. The SUV hit a pole and playground equipment and in the process collided with the girls. Then he hit a tree.
Maleena Faith Valdez, 4, was rushed to hospital in critical condition and later died.
News Channel 8 has learned the 5-year-old broke his arm but is expected to be fine.
Maleena’s family told WFLA that her sister Jazziah was on the playground when the accident happened and heard a loud bang, but did not see the children being hit.
The driver, Kiara Rishelle Morant, 18, was treated for minor injuries immediately after the crash, then arrested and charged with driving without a licence. She was later released on $120 bond, according to online prison records.
Additional charges may be pending against Morant following the child’s death. Highway Patrol said the crash is still under investigation.