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

Gainesville Woman Faces Arrest for Allegedly Embezzling Funds from Elderly Relative

In Gainesville, Florida, Vision Cierra Wilson, aged 44, found herself in legal…

Mother Accused in 5-Year-Old Daughter’s Murder Declines Plea Deal; Trial Expected with Her Children as Witnesses, Authorities Confirm

Left to right: Latasha Mott and Corrice Parks (WSYR/YouTube). In a surprising…

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Vote-by-Mail Ban, Upholds State Authority to Restore Constitutional Balance

President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter as he…

Father Hears Son’s Final Moments on Call, Witnesses Murderer Receive Prison Sentence

Left: Jalen Garces (Norfolk police). Right: Ali Muhammad (Bilal Muhammad). A Virginia…

Gainesville Resident Faces Arrest for Alleged Threats Against Neighbor and Dog

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Early this morning, authorities arrested 34-year-old Jamiah…

Tragic Fallout: Innocent 12-Year-Old Girl Killed in AR-15 and AK-47 Crossfire Over Social Media Feud

Insets from left: Antawan Benson and Javen Conner (Montgomery County Prosecutor”s Office)…

Shocking Update: Ex-Husband Arrested for Double Homicide of Ohio Dentist Spencer Tepe and Wife

UPDATE Records from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois confirm the…

Shocking Case of Infant Abuse: Father Charged with Severe Injuries to 2-Month-Old Son

Inset: Jaravion Nichols (Peoria County Jail). Background: The Peoria County Jail in…

Florida Couple Faces Charges After Abandoning 14-Year-Old in Filthy Home with Deceased Dog

Inset left to right: Marchelle Pertilla and Eugene Medrano (Mobile County Sheriff”s…

Teen Cheerleader’s Brave Battle on Carnival Cruise: No Arrests Yet

Over two months have passed since Anna Kepner tragically lost her life…