Uncle Held After Girl Hit by Runaway Car Dies
A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter Saturday after his 2-year-old niece died of head injuries suffered in an accident in Lawndale on Friday.
Carlos Figueroa was booked by sheriff’s deputies after the death of Esmeralda Figueroa, who was struck by his car, which had been left idling and unattended in a driveway.
Deputies said Carlos Figueroa had left the car with its engine running while he went inside the house. A 2-year-old child climbed behind the steering wheel and threw the vehicle into gear. It struck Esmeralda and her 4-year-old sister, Dora, who had been playing nearby.
Dora was treated at a hospital and released. Esmeralda was hospitalized and died Saturday.
Carlos Figueroa was being held on $25,000 bond at the Lennox station and is to be arraigned Tuesday in South Bay Municipal Court.
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