Police ID Driver Involved In Hit-And-Run That Seriously Injured 3-Year-Old Girl
BALTIMORE CO., Md. (WJZ) -- Police have identified the man accused of fleeing the scene after hitting a three-year-old girl with his vehicle in Middle River Sunday night. The child's parents said the suspect barely tapped the brakes after the crash.
A bright pink cast is a dark reminder of the crime.
"It was something out of a movie. It didn't even feel real. I just couldn't believe someone would do something like that," said Riley's mother, Lauren Jimenez.
RELATED: 3-Year-Old Girl Seriously Injured In Hit-And-Run In Baltimore Co.
Jimenez saw it all from steps away as Riley ran into the street just after 6 p.m. at the same time as the white four-door Hyundai Elantra came speeding down Right Wing Drive.
"She has a broken leg, bruises, road rash, bump on her head," Jimenez said.
The young victim's dad scooped her off the pavement and called for an ambulance.
Jimenez said she yelled for the driver to stop, but he didn't.
"It's disgusting. It's horrible. How someone could do that to somebody. Like she was a dog. Like she was a piece of trash. And just left her laying there," she said.
Witnesses told police Burns initially stopped at the scene, said he didn't see her, then left the area.
Within hours, Baltimore County Police caught up to 46-year-old Michael William Houston Burns.
#BCoPD identifies driver of white Hyundai Elantra that struck a 3-yr-old in Middle River last night & left the scene as Michael W Burns. More info: https://t.co/dLaf81Gitw Special thanks to Ms Stephanie for calling 911 when she spotted the suspect veh! #RightWingDrHitnRun pic.twitter.com/EbeFNjzFzP
— Baltimore County Police Department (@BaltCoPolice) August 6, 2018
They say less than half a mile away, a woman -- identified only as "Ms. Stephanie" -- recognized the wanted car parked on her street and led officers to the wanted driver.
Burns has been charged with five crimes, including fleeing the scene and driving on a suspended license.
"If he had remained at the scene, he would be facing far fewer charges than he is now. What he did was run over a three-year-old child and leave her there," said Baltimore County Police spokesperson Jen Peach.
Riley's grandpa said for years, they've asked for speed bumps on the street. to slow down traffic. He said now maybe this case will be a catalyst to make that happen.
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