Family and friends came together Wednesday night to remember a child killed by a hit-and-run driver who still hasn't been found one year later.
Six-year-old Crysta Spence was fatally struck while crossing the street in Northeast D.C.
The poignant gathering of family and friends walked the very street where Spencer's life was violently taken. "It's been terrible. I can't sleep at night, nothing. I just wish the person who did this would come forward," said Crysta's mother, Christina Spencer.
It was just after 4 p.m. when the victim had just finished playing with friends at the church directly across the street from her home. As she attempted to cross 6th Street NE, a dark green SUV with Maryland tags hit her and proceeded to run her over.
"All I do is think about her," said Spencer.
It's the vicious hit and run that has relatives desperate for answers. With candles, reward flyers and many prayers, they hope whoever is to blame will feel their heavy hearts. "It's no words. It's just crazy. A year later and here we are and we still haven't found the person that done it," said aunt Shana Johnson.
Neighbors once described the stretch of road as extremely dangerous. Known for its fast traffic, it's now impossible to miss the stop signs, speed bumps and a second cross walk which were all added shortly after the fatal collision.
A traffic camera captured the suspect fleeing the scene, but a year later, there was still no arrest. "It's sad, disturbing. But most importantly we have hope," said family friend Kenya King.
According to neighbors, drivers still ignore the stop signs. Detectives say these types of hit-and-run cases are the most difficult to solve, but they assured the family they are working hard to find the killer.
The family has raised their reward to $10,000 for anyone with any information.
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