A woman from California is under arrest, accused of fatally striking a 6-year-old with her car and then fleeing the scene.
As reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune, Tiffany Sanchez, age 32, faces charges of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run in relation to the tragic death of young Hudson O’Loughlin. In addition, she is charged with operating a vehicle without a valid license.
Authorities detailed that on January 17, Hudson was cycling along Pacific Beach Drive when he was hit by an SUV while using a designated bike path.
According to Lt. Ceasar Jimenez from the San Diego Police Department, Hudson was riding with his family when Sanchez allegedly struck him. Witnesses report she then accelerated, hitting him once more before fleeing the area.
Emergency personnel quickly transported Hudson to Rady Children’s Hospital, where he was later declared deceased.
Eyewitness David Morrow recounted to KFMB, “Right after she hit the child, she ran over him twice, with both wheels,” he explained. “She paused for about ten seconds, during which I noted her license plate, and then she drove away.”
Morrow said he had been driving behind Sanchez as he watched the scene unfold.
FOX 5 San Diego reports that the San Diego County Bike Coalition stated that the area where the incident took place is “among the city’s more dangerous streets.”
“We’ve been asking the city for support and funding and helping us install infrastructure that will help calm the traffic and make more people comfortable,” resident David Cuthell said, according to KPBS.
Sanchez is scheduled for an arraignment on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been established to help the family with expenses.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via GoFundMe]
