A family meal at a popular Beachwood barbecue spot turned into a nightmare on Sunday when a car jumped a curb and slammed into the outdoor dining area, killing a 3-year-old girl, according to police. The crash happened around 1:30 p.m. at City Barbeque in the Pavilion Shopping Center. The child was rushed to a local hospital, where they later died. Officers quickly flooded the scene, and the restaurant shut down temporarily while investigators began sorting out what happened.
In a news release, the Beachwood Police Department said an 18-year-old driver left the roadway inside the shopping center, drove over a curb, and into the patio where the child and family members were seated. The driver, identified as 18-year-old Jasmine McFadden of Euclid, has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. The passenger in the vehicle, 61-year-old Kenneth McFadden, was charged with obstructing official business and wrongful entrustment, according to CBS News.
City Barbeque issued a brief statement calling the company "heartbroken by the tragic incident" and confirming that the Beachwood location is closed while it cooperates with investigators. The restaurant said its focus right now is on supporting employees and the broader community as they absorb the loss, per reporting from 19 News.
Investigation and Court Timeline
Officials say the driver appeared in Shaker Heights Municipal Court on Monday, June 22, where a judge set bond at $100,000 and bound the case over to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. "The Beachwood Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the child's family and loved ones," the department wrote in its release, as local outlets detailed the early court proceedings, including coverage from 19 News.
Charges and Next Steps
Authorities say the investigation is still active as officers work to "examine all factors that may have contributed to the crash." Police have also urged the public to respect the privacy of the victim's family while the case moves forward, according to CBS News.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has additional information to contact the Beachwood Police Department. Court dates and further updates are expected to be released as the case proceeds through the county system.
