A 17-year-old was arrested on October 26 and is suspected of being the driver, according to court documents, with a court date set for October 27.
Charlotte, NC - October 26, 2026
A 6-year-old girl, Mariana Espinoza, was struck by a vehicle that left the scene, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The crash happened at about 3:21 p.m. on October 23 near the Oak Forest neighborhood in Charlotte. Police said she died in the hospital the following day.
Key Facts
- Date: Crash on October 23, 2026; the girl died on October 24, 2026
- Location: Intersection of Barrington Drive and Lanecrest Drive, Oak Forest neighborhood, about eight miles east of Uptown Charlotte, NC
- Type of crash: Hit-and-run
- Vehicles involved: Grey 2012-2015 Mercedes-Benz C250 with a temporary license plate
- Injuries / fatalities: One fatality reported
- Responding agencies: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
- Reported by: Daily Mail; WBTV (school information)
Crash Overview
Police said the vehicle was last seen heading north on Barrington Drive after the crash. Officers gave a description of the car: a grey Mercedes-Benz C250 from model years 2012 to 2015, featuring a sunroof, with a badly damaged front grille. They asked the public for help identifying the driver. The car reportedly had a temporary license plate at the time.
Court documents show that police arrested 17-year-old Lachevis Finnie on October 26, and that he is suspected of having been the driver. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 27.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Major Crash Investigation Unit has taken over the investigation. Few other details have been reported.
People Involved
Mariana Espinoza, 6, was a student at Devonshire Elementary School, according to WBTV. She died in the hospital on October 24. A school district spokesperson said the loss will be deeply felt in the school community and that staff are working with school leadership to support students, families and staff.