CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are searching for a person who allegedly stole a car and hit a 13-year-old student who was trying to get on a school bus in southwest Charlotte Thursday morning.
It happened on Arrowood Road near Arborgate Drive, just one block away from where a 6-year-old was killed in a crash hours earlier.
The first incident happened around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. Investigators said Ariela Lopez was riding in the backseat of a 2004 Toyota Corolla driven by a 15-year-old when the teen crossed the center line and hit a Volkswagen head-on. The 15-year-old driver and a passenger in the front seat were taken to the hospital in serious condition. Lopez was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and died from her injuries Wednesday. CMPD said speeding was a factor in the crash.
The second incident happened Thursday morning when a speeding SUV hit a middle school student who was trying to get on a school bus. The 13-year-old victim was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Detectives said the suspect didn't stop and sped away from the crash. The stop arms of the bus weren't in operation at the time of the crash, according to a statement released by CMPD Thursday afternoon.
CMPD said the SUV was later recovered but the driver wasn't inside and hasn't been arrested. CMPD hasn't identified the driver or released any suspect information. Anyone with information about this incident or the driver's identity is asked to call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
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