CLEVELAND — According to a release from Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb's office, the Cleveland Division of Police has made an arrest in the incident involving the 3-year-old girl who was fatally struck while on her bicycle on Thursday night.
Police officials confirm that the suspect, 45-year-old Christian Vance is currently in custody. The vehicle allegedly involved has been recovered as well.
Authorities had been searching for the driver who had allegedly fled the scene after striking three people who were riding bicycles near Edgewood Park.
Officers responded to the incident at Track Road and Lufkin Avenue at around 10:08 p.m. where “the front end of the suspect vehicle collided with all three bicycles.”
Police say the bicyclists were riding southbound on Track Road in the traffic lane approaching Lufkin Avenue when they were struck by the suspect vehicle, which was traveling northbound on Track Road from Lufkin.
All three bicyclists were taken to a Cleveland hospital, where the 3-year-old girl was pronounced dead. She has since been identified as Izzy Hudspath, a Cleveland resident.
Police say the two others – ages 10 and 27 – suffered minor injuries. Preliminary information from officials had indicated that the suspect vehicle was possibly a gold Cadillac Escalade.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of this tragedy and offer my prayers and condolences to the family. There are no words to adequately express such a tremendous loss,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb in a statement. “This is the third child recently hit and killed by a car in the City of Cleveland. And, once again, the driver who committed this horrific crime fled the scene.”
A cash reward of up to $5,000 may be available to anybody with information in the case by calling 216-621-1234. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on July 18, 2022.