Girl, 7, dies after 92-year-old driver 'accelerated instead of braking'
A seven-year-old girl has died after being hit by a car outside a pharmacy in Miami.
Stephanie Alonso died on Friday after she was hit by a Red Nissan SUV on Monday.
The vehicle was being driven by a 92-year-old woman, who reportedly told police that her brakes had stopped working.
However, police have since said that the driver appeared to hit the accelerator instead of the brake.
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The car then sideswiped Stephanie's mom and hit Stephanie.
Investigators have said that CCTV footage shows that the car appearing to accelerate prior to the crash
Mike Vega, a public information officer for Miami Police, said: “Instead of pressing the brakes, the 92-year-old accelerates, and we can see that the vehicle accelerates and goes right toward them.
"It sideswipes the mother, hits the girl."
Vega added: "She was not pinned under the car; she was actually right next to the vehicle."
Miami Police have not made the driver's identity public aside from her age.
Vega said: "We issued a ticket for careless driving, but we did not issue it to her yet because we have to wait on the outcome of the case."
Following the incident, Stephanie was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital in a critical condition.
Despite the efforts of medical staff to save her, she tragically died on Friday.
Stephanie's eighth birthday would have been on September 21.
In an interview with WTVJ, her father, Joany Figueredo, said: “She hit my daughter, and she hit the wall. She got out of the car and acted like nothing happened.”
Speaking prior to his daughter's death he said: “When I am alone and see a picture of her, I break down and start crying. It’s too hard.”
Figueredo added: “What is happening? Why is a person who is 92 years old driving? There should be an age limit for driving."
Police are currently investigating the crash and it has not been confirmed yet whether the driver of the car will face charges.
A GoFundMe for the family was started to cover Stephanie's medical expenses, but included the tragic update that she died from her injuries.
It described Stephanie as a 'smart, happy and loving 7-year-old girl' and a 'bright and joyful little girl', and said that the crash has 'shattered our hearts'.
In a tragic update, the GoFundMe said: "Our beloved Stephanie has sadly passed away. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and support during this very difficult time."
Kit Roberts