NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – A Tennessee woman mourning the death of her 10-year-old niece says she feels guilty for encouraging her family to move to the state after the girl and her mother were involved in a hit-and-run while riding an electric scooter.
When Laura Ramirez-Gonzalez’s sister encouraged her and her daughter, Emily Sanchez-Ramirez, to leave Colombia and move to Nashville 10 months ago, she never could have anticipated what would happen next, WSMV reports.
“I feel guilty that I brought them here. I wish I wouldn’t have brought them here. She used to tell all her school friends that she was so happy to be here,” said Emily’s aunt through a translator.
Ramirez-Gonzalez, 28, and her daughter were headed to Walmart on an electric scooter just before 6 p.m. Saturday. Her sister says she was saving up to buy a car.
Witnesses say the mother and daughter were in the bike lane when a driver swerved into it, hitting them head-on then taking off. The witnesses believe the driver was going at least 60 miles per hour.
Emily died at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt from injuries she sustained in the crash. Her mother remains in critical condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“My sister finished surgery, but she’s in and out of consciousness. I’m not sure if she understands what has happened,” Emily’s aunt said.
The 10-year-old was a fifth grader at Tusculum Elementary School who loved to swim and play with her friends. Her aunt says she was a calm, inquisitive child. She told people she wanted to be an influencer when she grew up.
Now, the family is planning her funeral. A GoFundMe has been set up to help raise money so Emily can be buried in her native country.
“I’m so sad I can’t stop crying. I go into her room and see all the toys she liked to play with. I keep thinking this is just a dream that I can wake up from,” her aunt said.
Police found the red Nissan they believe was involved in the incident Monday at a house on Radnor Street. They are looking for Daneri Varela, a native of Honduras, who is wanted for questioning in connection to the crash.
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