Charlotte community holds vigil for 6-year-old hit-and-run victim

More than 100 people gathered Friday afternoon in Charlotte to honor 6-year-old Mariana Espinoza, who died after being hit by a car near her school bus stop last week, WBTV reported.

Mariana was struck moments after stepping off her school bus on October 23. She died the following day. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested a 17-year-old driver without a license three days after the incident.

A memorial at the intersection of Barrington Drive and Lanecrest Drive grew as neighbors and friends left flowers, candles, balloons, and toys. Staff from Devonshire Elementary, where Mariana was a student, also attended the balloon release.

Mariana's mother expressed gratitude for the community support and emphasized her desire for justice, hoping the driver is held accountable for driving at high speed in a neighborhood with children around, according to WBTV.

Doorbell camera footage shared by WBTV shows moments before the crash but was edited to omit the actual impact due to its graphic nature.

WSOC-TV also reported on the vigil, noting the gathering of family, friends, and school community members in east Charlotte to remember Mariana one week after the tragedy.