Share this @internewscast.com

The teen driver of an SUV that crashed into a Florida playground, killing one child and seriously injuring another, has been identified.

WINK News reports that the motorist behind the fatal crash has been identified as Kiara Morant, 18, of Arcadia. According to the report, Morant had initially been charged only with driving without a valid license, and was released from jail. A WINK News reporter said in a Twitter post Friday morning that Morant has been booked back into jail with upgraded charges of a crash causing death.

The reporter also identified the girl who died as Maleena Valdez.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Valdez, 4, died after being hit by the vehicle that crashed through fencing at the Arcadia playground this week. A 5-year-old girl was also hospitalized with serious injuries. According to the news station, Maleena Valdez died on her mother’s birthday.

A witness told WINK News that they heard children screaming, and inititally did not believe the sounds were coming from the daycare, right behind her home.

“Kids screaming and I said, ‘Well, it could be coming from our pool,’ but it was so many screams of so many kids and everything that I thought well you know there’s no way it could be coming from the pool,” neighbor Becky Stidham told the news station.

“It’s a pretty traumatic episode for all the kids seeing a vehicle just come right at them.”

CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.

[Feature image: Family photo/WINK News]

Post source: Crime Online

Source: This post first appeared on

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Woman Accused of Threatening Judge During Truancy Proceedings

Inset left: Daisy Hernandez (McLennan County Jail). Inset right: LucyAnn Sanchez-Miramontez (McLennan…

Mother and Infant Allegedly Splashed with Coffee During Off-Leash Dog Incident: Police Report

Inset: Nina Jaaskelainen (Volusia County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The area in Florida…

Tragic Obsession: The Chilling Story of a Cheerleader’s Death on a Cruise Ship

Authorities are investigating a disturbing case involving a 16-year-old boy, who is…

Shocking Incident: Man Sets Walmart Ablaze During Peak Hours, Authorities Report

Inset: William Eckman (City of York Police Department). Background: The Walmart the…

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Duo on Drug-Related Charges

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A routine traffic stop on I-75 turned into a…

James Comey Directly Challenges Trump in Legal Motion for Dismissal

Left: President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One at Naval…

Teen Sentenced in Catfish Scheme Leading to Man’s Fatal Robbery

Inset: Cyle Flores (McLennan County Jail). Background: The house where Flores and…

Trump Administration Calls on DHS Staff to Secure Records for Preservation

Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Kristi Noem at a campaign rally…

District Attorney Seeks Death Penalty for Parents Convicted in Tragic Death of 9-Year-Old Girl

Inset left: Kourtney Eutsey (Fayette County District Attorney”s Office). Inset middle: Sarah…

Alabama Man Convicted of Assaulting Young Girl in Disturbing Case

On Wednesday, a jury in Alabama delivered a guilty verdict against a…

Tragic Loss: Florida Deputy Veteran Fatally Shot During Eviction Duty

Terri Mashkow dedicated a quarter of a century to the Indian River…

Gainesville Resident Faces Federal Prison Time for Machine Gun Possession: What You Need to Know

In a federal court ruling in Gainesville, Florida, 21-year-old Jaquan Tyrell Calhoun…