FHP: 8-year-old girl hit, killed while crossing Orange County street

Driver of vehicle remained at scene of crash

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A child died Sunday evening after being struck by a vehicle on Silver Star Road, troopers said.

Florida Highway Patrol officials said a Mercury Cougar, driven by Chasity Young, 19, struck the 8-year-old girl as she attempted to cross Silver Star Road near Dardanelle Drive at about 5:45 p.m.

Officials said the girl, La'Zisis Harris, was not in a crosswalk.

Harris was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital and died there from injuries she suffered in the crash, FHP said.

Troopers said Young stayed at the scene.

The girl's grandmother, Josephine Long, said she was struck on Silver Star Road two years ago and suffered internal bleeding.

"They drive fast, they don't look. They don't pay no attention, they don't pay no attention," Long said.

She said she hopes authorities crack down on drivers who are speeding or using their cellphones while driving.

"My baby got hurt and she died, and it's killing me," Long said.

The crash remains under investigation.

No other details were immediately released.

A GoFundMe has been created to help pay for Harris' funeral expenses.


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Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.