The Nashville community continues to reel from the tragic hit-and-run that claimed the life of a young girl. Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) has intensified their search for Walter Daneris Zuniga, 39, wanted in connection with the recent crash on Nolensville Pike that resulted in the death of 10-year-old Emily Sanchez-Ramirez and left her mother critically injured. In the wake of the accident, MNPD has obtained nine warrants against Zuniga, who is also known as Daneri Varela, for charges including vehicular homicide by reckless conduct and reckless endangerment, as reported by WSMV4.
According to WKRN, the incident occurred on Saturday, when a red Nissan Sentra, allegedly driven by Zuniga, veered into the bike lane on Nolensville Pike, striking Emily and her 28-year-old mother, Laura Ramirez-Gonzalez, as they rode an electric scooter. While Emily succumbed to her injuries the following day, her mother's condition was later upgraded to critical.
An outpouring of support has followed the tragedy, with the victims' family reporting that they had moved to Nashville from Colombia about 10 months ago. "Emily was a fifth grader at Tusculum Elementary School who loved to swim and play with her friends," her aunt explained in a statement obtained by WSMV4. In response to the events, a fundraiser has been established to aid the family during this difficult time.
"The damaged red Nissan Sentra involved in the crash was recovered by Traffic Unit investigators at Zuniga’s home on Radnor Street Monday following a Crime Stoppers tip," MNPD said, as noted by WSMV4. The department encourages anyone with information on Zuniga’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
