After nearly two years, the Orlando Police Department has arrested in the tragic hit-and-run case that claimed the life of 5-year-old Aiyanna McCoy. As WESH reported, Yosefi Arabu, 35, now faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide and reckless driving, with the events dating back to a fateful day in 2023 when a silver Mercedes crashed into a ride-share vehicle carrying the child and her family.
It was on Orange Blossom Trail near Lee and Ace roads that tragedy struck, leaving Aiyanna fatally injured and two occupants ejected, her aunt, then 26, sustained "significant injuries," while Aiyanna's siblings, ages 4 and 9 at the time of the crash, suffered minor injuries, Arabu allegedly fled the scene after the collision, abandoning his disabled vehicle, he was observed being picked up by another car, according to authorities.
Aiyanna was remembered affectionately as a vibrant child. A statement released by East Law of Florida, cited by ClickOrlando, described her as a "vibrant kindergartner" with a "joyous spirit, love for dance, singing and gymnastics." She was a kindergartner at Orange Center Elementary School, and her untimely death touched the hearts of many in the Orlando community.
The Orlando Police Department, alongside the U.S. Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force, apprehended Arabu at his home near Clarcona Ocoee Road and Lunsford Drive.
