Truck in hit-and-run that killed toddler is found; witnesses sought

San Bernardino police say they’ve found the truck that struck and killed a 2-year-old girl earlier this month, and hope the break in the case will help track down its driver, who fled the scene.

Asianae Thomas died from her injuries May 7 at Loma Linda University Medical Center. She was attending a family birthday celebration May 4 when she got out of a bouncy house and darted into a northbound lane for unknown reasons.

Family members told the TV station the driver slowed down and appeared to stop before peeling off.

“It’s been traumatic for the family,” said Lt. Rich Lawhead, a spokesman for the San Bernardino Police Department.

The truck driver slammed into the girl near a grassy median, roughly 100 yards long. Police acted on a tip May 8 and tracked down a black truck with a distinctive flat bed in the city of San Bernardino. Several people linked to the truck have been interviewed but no arrests have been made, police said.

Authorities say security camera footage at a convenience store shows the truck in the area about a minute before they began receiving 911 calls about the crash.

Authorities say a driver in a dark-colored sedan was behind the truck as it traveled north on Mountain View Avenue from Highland Avenue.

“It is believed that the occupants of this vehicle witnessed the collision but were unavailable for interview by the time officers arrived. We believe that they may be able to provide crucial information and are being asked to come forward to speak with police regarding the incident,” police said in a statement.

Anyone with information on the collision is asked to call San Bernardino police detectives at (909) 384-5664.