A tragic event at the Mall of Georgia has left a family bereaved after their 4-year-old daughter, Abigail Hernandez, was fatally struck by a vehicle. Gwinnett County Police have confirmed that Hernandez was crossing Mall of Georgia Drive with her father, 31, and older sister, 7, when an 18-year-old driver in a 2004 white Chevrolet Silverado hit them, according to a press release shared by People.
The young girl was rushed to Scottish Rite hospital where she succumbed to her injuries the Hernandez family had been shopping for baseball gear near Dick's Sporting Goods when the accident occurred, FOX 5 reports, Abigail had just received a new pair of glasses before the crash, her mother, Marina Hernandez revealed in a heart-wrenching interview, "He bought her some glasses and she said, ‘Papi, I’m going to wear these glasses at my big sister’s game’," FOX 5 reported. While the adult and other child involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries, the driver of the vehicle remained on the scene and cooperated with law enforcement officials.
In response to the devastating loss, Abby's aunt, Lauren Paz, created a GoFundMe campaign to support the grieving mother in the wake of her daughter's passing, People reports. The fundraiser aims to reach a goal of $40,000 to help with unexpected expenses and lessen the financial burden as the family confronts "every parent's worst nightmare." Max Ortiz, the top donor with a $2,000 contribution, empathized with the family's suffering, writing, "No parent should go through this."
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing and the teen driver's car has been impounded for further examination, witnesses or anyone with information are encouraged to reach out to the Gwinnett County Police Department by email or phone, or remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers, according to the police department press release. Marina Hernandez told FOX 5 in an interview, "Now is going to be the hardest part, going back home and going through her room and not seeing her there," as she contemplated the life her daughter, who dreamed of becoming an artist or a doctor, will never get to live.
