Services set for 4-year-old Glendale girl killed in hit-and-run

Funeral services for a 4-year-old Glendale girl who was fatally struck in a hit-and-run on March 6 are scheduled for Wednesday.

The service for Violeta Khachatoorians will take place at 1 p.m. at Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, said family friend and neighbor Arshak Bareghamyan.

Violeta was in her front yard with her parents and sister on Wilson Avenue about 5 p.m. when she ran in between two parked cars and into traffic, authorities said. She was struck by an oncoming car before her dad, who ran after her while yelling her name, could reach her, Bareghamyan said.

Bareghamyan ran outside after hearing a “loud bang” and screams and saw Violeta’s dad carry his daughter to the yard, where police attempted to resuscitate her before paramedics arrived.

Violeta was transported to Glendale Adventist Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The driver turned himself in the following morning, authorities said. He was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run.

Violeta’s death stunned the community but also sparked an outpouring of generosity, with donors contributing more than $45,000 to various fundraisers for her family, officials said. Glendale Mayor Zareh Sinanyan helped launch one of the fund-raising campaigns.

“Through conversations with the family members and neighbors, it became clear that this family has severe difficulties in their lives,” Sinanyan said, adding that Violeta’s older sister is autistic and wheelchair-bound. “They’re economically severely, severely challenged to the extent that they would have difficulty meeting expenses associated with the funeral.”

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com