Family Says Girl, 9, Looked Both Ways Before Being Fatally Hit By Car
MIDDLE RIVER, Md. (WJZ)—A Middle River neighborhood is in mourning after a 9-year-old girl was hit and killed by a driver just steps from home. Police are still investigating the circumstances.
The family tells Christie Ileto that the little girl looked both ways before stepping off the curb.
That's why the girl's family is still trying to make sense of this tragic accident. Neighbors are calling for speed bumps on the road.
Nine-year-old Amaria Gould's family and friends are grieving Thursday outside her Middle River home on Graythorn Road.
Baltimore County Police say a driver hit and killed Amaria on Wednesday, steps from her front door.
"The preliminary investigation shows the 9-year-old either walked or ran from between two vehicles in front of the oncoming car," said Elise Armacost, Baltimore County Police spokeswoman.
Amaria's brother, Alonzo, says she carefully stepped off the curb and looked both ways before crossing the street.
"She went out. I turn my head, and all I hear is 'boom, boom,'" he explained.
Police say the driver stayed at the scene.
Alonzo describes his sister's last moments as painful.
"Watching a 9-year-old little innocent girl on the ground that's your little sister, and you're just laying there telling her to hold on," he said.
While police continue to investigate the crash, the family says they have no idea how this happened, as this neighborhood is full of children and the speed limit is 25 mph.
"It's a kid-friendly neighborhood, and you would think in your mind, with or without a child, you would want to take caution in driving slow," said Sabrina Hite, victim's cousin.
Police say no citations have been issued to the driver, but neighbors want to make sure other kids on that street stay safe.
"We need to come together as a community and get speed bumps out here. There should be no reason that that young girl should be gone," said Teela Sheely, neighbor.
For now, Amaria's untimely accident serves as a painful reminder to residents and drivers to be careful.
Police say as summer approaches, drivers need to be mindful of children playing near streets, and parents need to talk to children about how to be safe while playing in the neighborhood.
The family says they're gathering in the neighborhood Thursday night to remember Amaria.
