911 Calls Released In Fatal Ft. Lauderdale Hit & Run
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – New details surrounding the March 18th hit and run death of a five-year old in Fort Lauderdale have been released.
On that Sunday afternoon, Yanelle Lucero was riding her tricycle near her home when she was stuck by a white GMC van, according to police.
The driver, Erik Garcia fled on foot but the owner of the van, Mario Argumedo handed Yanelle over to her mother, Catherine Diaz. In a panic, she jumped into her minivan and drove her daughter to the hospital.
CBS 4 obtained documents from the Broward State Attorney's office that included the 911 calls made after the driver took off.
"I need someone to escort me," Diaz is heard telling a 911 dispatcher.
Panic can be heard in her voice.
"I'm taking all the lights, I'm taking my daughter. My daughters not responding," said Diaz.
Eventually Diaz pulls over on I-95 near Sunrise Boulevard and paramedics arrive to take her daughter to the hospital.
Sadly, she would not survive.
The newly released documents also include a call from Erik Garcia. He tells a dispatcher he wants to give himself up.
"The police are looking for me; I would like to turn myself in. They are looking for me because I hit a girl and I think I killed her." Garcia says in Spanish.
Garcia is charged with failure to remain at an accident involving death. The owner of the van, Argumedo is charged with tampering with evidence.
CBS 4 spoke with Diaz on Thursday and she expressed concern about getting justice for her daughter.
"I am sad and grieving, I cry for my daughter every day. I would like the case to be strong and it doesn't seem to be at this point. They killed my daughter, not an animal, she was my baby," Diaz said.
