CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is searching for a vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed 6-year-old Mariana Espinoza in east Charlotte on Friday afternoon.
Officers responded to the collision at approximately 3:21 p.m. at the intersection of Barrington Drive and Lanecrest Drive, where the child was struck by a vehicle that immediately drove away.
Initial findings show Espinoza was hit while walking across Barrington Drive. MEDIC transported her to a nearby medical facility with life-threatening injuries and she died from her wounds on Saturday.
Espinoza was a student at Devonshire Elementary School.
Police described the suspect vehicle as a gray 2012–2015 Mercedes-Benz C250 that was last seen traveling northbound on Barrington Drive in east Charlotte.
According to investigators, the vehicle has a sunroof, black rims, a black or matte gas cap cover and significant impact damage to its front grill. At the time of the collision, the car was displaying a temporary license plate.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is leading the investigation. Anyone with information regarding the vehicle or the crash is urged to contact 911 or Crime Stoppers immediately.
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