Memorial growing for 6-year-old killed in Surrey hit and run

A six-year-old girl was killed and two other children were injured in an alleged hit and run on Sunday afternoon.

Dozens of bouquets of flowers and several photos mark a makeshift memorial that continues to grow for a little girl killed in a hit-and-run in Surrey Sunday.

A relative has identified the girl to CTV News as Jayla.

She was just six years old.

She was out walking with her family Sunday afternoon when she and her two siblings were struck by a vehicle.

“One (sibling) was a seven-year old girl. She received what appears to be some minor injuries to her upper body. Likely some broken bones. A 16-year old boy also received some injuries to his leg and upper torso,” said Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton of the Surrey Police Service.

A relative of the children said they have since been released from hospital.

On surveillance video from a neighbour, a loud bang can be heard and then a pick-up truck is seen quickly driving away.

About an hour after the hit-and-run, police say they arrested a man following a report of another collision nearby involving a vehicle that matched the description of the one involved in the hit-and-run.

“That person has since been released from custody as the investigation is continuing,” said Houghton, adding that it will be a long and complex investigation.

He said the suspect is in his mid-20s.

The community is devastated by what happened.

“Very very sad for them. My heart goes out to them,” said Margo Lee.

Another resident, Sawarn Jawanda, left flowers at the site.

“I was just crying. Just crying. I was very sad,” he said.

Also bringing flowers was Rosanna Carins.

“It’s such a horrific thing that happened and to find out there could actually be alcohol involved is incomprehensible to me,” she said.

Police have said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

They are also looking at whether speed or anything else contributed.

On Monday, police were back in the neighbourhood gathering evidence.

Meanwhile, neighbours say the intersection near the accident scene has been a safety concern for years with drivers speeding through the stop sign.

“I myself have had to pull my stroller (with my child in it) out from the intersection as a truck whipped through,” said Jessica Weismiller who lives in the area.

She said despite many requests to the City of Surrey, no action has been taken to make the intersection safer.

Whether the intersection played any role in this tragedy is not clear.