6-Year-Old Charlotte Girl Killed in Hit and Run

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte community is mourning the heartbreaking death of 6-year-old Mariana Espinoza, who was struck by a vehicle while crossing a neighborhood street Friday afternoon. The driver fled the scene, leaving the young girl critically injured.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), the collision occurred around 3:21 p.m. on October 23 near the intersection of Barrington Drive and Lanecrest Drive in east Charlotte.

Investigators say Mariana was crossing Barrington Drive when an unidentified vehicle struck her. Instead of stopping to help, the driver continued northbound on Barrington Drive.

Emergency responders rushed Mariana to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite efforts to save her life, the young girl died Saturday, October 24.

Mariana was a student at Devonshire Elementary School. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools expressed condolences to her grieving family and the school community.

The tragedy has shaken neighborhood residents, particularly families whose children travel along the same streets.

According to multiple sources, investigators are searching for a gray Mercedes-Benz sedan believed to be connected to the incident. Surveillance footage reportedly captured a similar vehicle traveling through the intersection shortly before the collision.

Witnesses described a devastating scene as emergency responders worked to save the child. One neighborhood resident told local reporters that seeing Mariana’s younger brother crying was especially heartbreaking.

As investigators work to identify the driver, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit continues examining evidence and interviewing witnesses. No arrests had been announced as of Monday morning.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Worthy at 704-432-2169, extension 4, or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.