Inset, left to right: Daniel Richard Bryant (Kent County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The area in Michigan where Bryant allegedly killed a 3-year-old girl (Google Maps).
In a tragic incident in Michigan, a 33-year-old man is facing serious charges after allegedly causing the death of a 3-year-old girl under his care. Authorities claim the man struck the child with his pickup truck while she was reportedly “racing” him alongside the vehicle.
Daniel Richard Bryant, who is suspected of having consumed alcohol at the time, was arrested last week in connection with the fatal accident involving young Estella Johnson, officials reported.
Described by police as a “father figure” to the child and engaged to her mother, Bryant is now charged with reckless driving resulting in death and second-degree child abuse.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release detailing the events of April 3. Emergency personnel responded shortly after 4 p.m. to a site on the 13000 block of Darcy Circle NE, where a child was reported hit by a pickup truck. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, the child succumbed to severe injuries on the scene.
Upon investigation, it was concluded that Bryant had been driving recklessly, with alcohol suspected as a contributing factor. He was subsequently detained and placed in the Kent County Correctional Facility, with the possibility of further charges as the inquiry proceeds.
The victim, identified as Estella Johnson, was reported by MLive. According to the outlet, Bryant initially informed deputies that he and Estella were “just racing up the street.” At the time of the tragic event, the girl was running beside his truck in a Cedar Springs mobile home park. Bryant mentioned he was returning from a nearby family member’s house with another child when Estella began to run alongside the vehicle.
Bryant told investigators he was traveling around 10 mph when he heard the child’s sibling yell for him to “Stop.” At that point, Bryant said he realized Estella was underneath the truck, MLive reported, citing a probable cause affidavit.
Bryant also allegedly said the girl suddenly “ran under the truck,” Grand Rapids, Michigan, ABC affiliate WZZM reported.
Authorities, however, reportedly noted possible signs of reckless driving at the scene, including what appeared to be recent acceleration tire marks near the residence.
Bryant further admitted to deputies that he is an alcoholic and consumes about a half gallon of alcohol daily, according to investigators, and officers noted an odor of alcohol during his transport to jail.
Witness accounts paint a chaotic and heartbreaking scene in the moments after the crash. A neighbor who rushed to help told Grand Rapids NBC affiliate WOOD that he attempted CPR on the child, but was unable to resuscitate her.
“I was doing compressions on her chest, but by the time cops or paramedics got here, she was already gone,” the neighbor said.
Another neighbor described the emotional aftermath as the child’s mother arrived.
“I said, ‘Alyssa, you need to get home right now. Your daughter’s just been run over,’” the neighbor said, adding that the mother “just bawled” when she learned what had happened.
Bryant reportedly has prior driving-related offenses, including a previous reckless driving conviction. He is currently scheduled to return to court on April 15 for a probable cause hearing, records show.
Meanwhile, those who knew Estella are remembering her as a vibrant and loving child. Her obituary describes her as “curious, intelligent, outgoing, and feisty,” adding that she “loved to pretend, to explore, and to fully immerse herself in play.”
A judge on Monday ordered Bryant to remain in custody on a $500,000 bond, court records show.
