Child dies after being hit by a car
Published: Apr. 9, 2012 at 9:45 PM EDT|Updated: Apr. 11, 2012 at 3:21 PM EDT
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LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - A 7-year-old girl died during surgery after she was hit by a car. It happened around 5:30 p.m. Monday afternoon after the girl got off a TARC bus.
The young girl was with three other people coming back from Wal-Mart.
"Little Mama wanted some tacos for dinner, so that's what we got, that's what we were going to have for dinner," said Tiffany Ghode, the young girl's soon-to-be stepmother, still gripping the grocery list little Aiyana Osburn wrote out.
Aiyana was getting off the TARC bus with her older sister, father and Ghode. "There was a car coming that was speeding, and I jerked her back a little bit, but I didn't jerk her back far enough apparently," said Ghode.
Police said the TARC bus was going northbound on Buechel Bank Road and a white Monte Carlo was headed south. An LMPD spokesperson said the group of four walked behind the bus after they got off it.
"It's almost like the man swerved to hit her," said Ghode.
Police said speed was not a factor, but they said the driver left the scene. Police said the driver drove about 1,000 yards before stopping.
The driver's mother said her son, Michael L. Penick, 29, was on his way to a college class. He called her frantic. "He said, 'she ran out in front of me, and I hit her,'" said Carolyn Penick.
Michael L. Penick, 29, was charged with operating on a suspended license and not having insurance. He was released by police.
While emotions are high for both families, they all can't help but pause for the little girl.
"I'm praying for you," said Ghode. "God, I'm praying for you."
The Jefferson County Coroner's Office told WAVE 3 News that Osburn died at 9:32 Monday night while in surgery from head trauma.
Copyright 2012 WAVE News. All rights reserved.
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