Investigators confirm they have found the truck suspected to be involved in the hit-and-run death of a toddler in San Bernardino, but are now asking for the public’s help to identify a witness vehicle.
Two-year-old Asianae Thomas was struck by a flatbed truck on the 2400 block of North Mountain View Avenue on May 4, according to police. She was hospitalized and died a few days later.
Investigators found the truck abandoned at a San Bernardino apartment complex on Thursday. They’re now looking for the drivers of a green sedan, seen on surveillance video driving behind the truck as it was turning left onto Mountain View Avenue from Highland Avenue. Police believe the driver of the green sedan may be able to help them with the case.
"Some of the stuff we're looking for evidence-wise on the truck and stuff like that, it would be very important to know how the collision occurred. And what they saw, and maybe what position the child was in,” San Bernardino Police Lt. Richard Lawhead said.
A memorial now grows on the street where the toddler was struck. Asianae had wandered into the street after playing in a bounce house at a birthday party.
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"We feel really sorry. She's only 2 years old, so it really hurts. Especially, they're our neighbors," neighbor Sanya Alfaris said.
Brittney Jones, Asianae’s cousin, said she talked to the person in the green sedan moments after the crash.
"I ran down the street to the green car, when I found out what was going on. And the green car is the car that told me what color (the truck) was," Jones said.
Investigators confirm they have been in touch with the people connected to the truck, but need to hear from all witnesses, especially any witnesses in the green sedan.
"We are desperately searching for somebody who can identify the driver behind the wheel," Lawhead said.
Police have added that there is still the possibility that the driver did not know he or she struck anything, and are visiting local businesses for any additional surveillance video.
Anyone with information on the collision is asked to contact Detective Peck at 909-384-5664
Funeral arrangements for Asianae are still pending.
