Teenager charged in hit-and-run that killed 6-year-old getting off the bus

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - A 17-year-old was charged in connection with a hit-and-run that killed a 6-year-old girl in Charlotte last week, according to authorities.

Charlotte police announced Monday that Lachevis Finnie, 17, was arrested in the hit-and-run death of 6-year-old Mariana Espinoza. He was charged with felony hit-and-run resulting in death.

Espinoza was hit by a car while crossing at the intersection last Friday in east Charlotte. Espinoza, a student at Devonshire Elementary School, had just gotten off the school bus.

Police said Espinoza was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and died there the following day.

Doorbell camera footage obtained by WBTV on Monday shows the moments before Espinoza was hit.

Court documents filed Monday allege that Finnie was driving the Mercedes-Benz that hit and killed Espinoza.

Police had released a photo of the gray Mercedes-Benz, believed to be the car involved in the hit-and-run, Monday morning. By Monday evening, police said they identified Finnie as a suspect in the case after “conducting a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle.” The car had been seized as evidence.

An affidavit alleged Finnie did not stop after the collision and did not call 911. The document said he claimed he fled “due to being scared.” The affidavit also said Finnie “confessed to striking the child,” and has since been cooperative with the investigation.

Finnie appeared in Mecklenburg County court on Tuesday. During that appearance, he was appointed a public defender and had his bond set at $2.5 million. He was also ordered to complete a mental health evaluation.