HOUSTON – The Medical Examiner's office has released the identity of the child who was killed in a hit-and-run accident in southwest Houston.
The victim was 11-year-old Tania Rodriguez. Her mother, Gladys Martinez is still in shock over her daughter's death.
Houston police said a pickup truck was going northbound on the Southwest Freeway feeder road at Westpark around 6:30 p.m. Saturday when the driver of a red car tried to turn and clipped the truck, sending it into a concrete pillar.
Tania was sitting in the back seat of the truck, and was killed.
Four children, between the ages of 5 and 16, and one adult were also inside the truck. They were all taken to the hospital and expected to recover, police said.
A second man inside the truck was not hurt.
Police believe the hit-and-run driver may have been in a red Chevy Cobalt.
Martinez has a message for the driver she says is responsible for her daughter's death.
"Don't be a coward, come forward," she said.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with Tiana's funeral expenses.