By Matt Leingang
Enquirer staff writer
NEWPORT - Residents of a Newport Housing Authority complex say the neighborhood is in shock after a 4-year-old girl was struck and killed by a car Saturday night.
The car's two occupants abandoned the vehicle at the scene, fleeing on foot.
Police haven't released the identity of the girl. She was pronounced dead at St. Luke Hospital East shortly after the accident, which occurred about 7:08 p.m. in the 500 block of Brighton Street.
"It's a heart-wrenching situation," said 56-year-old Patricia Fann, who lives nearby.
Fann said she didn't know the girl or the family. But she recalls seeing the girl play in the neighborhood.
"She was a pretty little girl with a beautiful smile," Fann said. "Right now, there's a lot of pain in the neighborhood."
Newport police continue to investigate the accident but had few additional details Sunday. No arrests had been made.
"Eyewitness accounts were a little foggy on the race and gender of the suspects," said Sgt. Robert Auteri.
Police located the owner of the car Saturday night and interviewed him. Investigators do not believe the owner was inside the car at the time of accident, Auteri said.
Police haven't said whether the car had been stolen, nor have they released information about the relationship between the owner and the two who were in the car.
More information, including the identity of the victim, could be released today, Auteri said.
Meanwhile, neighbors are preparing food for the girl's grieving family and offering support, Fann said.
"There's a mother here who is in terrible pain," Fann said.
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E-mail mleingang@enquirer.com
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