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Witness: Aunt On Cell Phone When Toddler Killed

1-Year-Old Killed By Pickup Truck While In Stroller

POSTED: Wednesday, February 27, 2008
UPDATED: 5:03 pm EST February 27,2008

A witness to a crash where a toddler was struck and killed by a pickup truck told investigators that the girl's aunt was talking on a phone and not paying attention when the child was hit.

The fatal crash happened on Feb. 16 at the intersection of Johnson Street and Federal Highway in Hollywood. While the accident is still under investigation by Hollywood police, Local 10 has obtained a copy of the traffic accident report.

Eyewitness Jose Santa Maria told investigators the driver of the pickup truck, 17-year-old Justin Paul Olivier, "had a green turn signal arrow and began to turn eastbound on to Johnson Street. At the same time, the pedestrian left the sidewalk and entered the roadway crosswalk." Santa Maria stated that the crosswalk signals were flashing red.

Alethia Brinson of Hollywood, the baby's aunt, was pushing 1-year-old Jasmyn Tucker in a stroller and talking on a cell phone.

In the report Santa Maria states, "Brinson was talking on her cell phone as she was pushing the baby stroller northbound. Brinson was not paying attention and attempted to cross Johnson Street."

The pickup hit the stroller on the passenger side. Tucker "suffered severe head trauma from the impact " and was transported to Memorial Hospital Hospital in Hollywood, where she later died.

Olivier stayed at the scene and voluntarily consented to a blood-alcohol test to rule out alcohol or drug use, according to the report.

The investigation will remain open as police continue to evaluate the evidence and witness statements to determine if any charges will be filed, the report said.

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