Driver Reportedly On Cell Phone Before Hitting Girls
5-Year-Old Killed, 2-Year-Old Sister Fighting For Life
POSTED: Thursday, October 28, 2004
UPDATED: 11:58 am EDT October 28,
2004
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A 22-year-old woman was reportedly talking on a cell phone and speeding when she fatally hit a 5-year-old girl trying to cross an Orlando road with her mother and sister, according to Local 6 News.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Ashley Townsend hit and dragged Anjelica Velez and her 2-year-old sister, Victoria, about 150 feet after being hit at Golden Road and Bates Road just after 4:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Anjelica was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center by helicopter but later died. Troopers say her sister Victoria Velez was in critical but stable condition, but she was not expected to live.
Local 6 News has learned that Townsend has received three speeding tickets in the past four years. And, since there were no skid marks on the road, she apparently did not try to stop before hitting the children, according to the report.
"She was barreling on, 60 mph and went through the light," witness Teresa Harrell said. "I did not see the impact, but I did see that 5-year-old girl sliding down the road, that's the girl that's no longer here."
Townsend told police she did not see the family in the road.
Troopers said charges are pending but they will likely be traffic charges and not criminal charges.
Local 6 News reported that there is no penalty for talking on a cell phone while driving.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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