Hit and Run Kills 5-Year-Old, Injures Teen; Police Seek Driver

A 5-year-old girl was killed and a teenager seriously hurt in a hit-and-run crash Monday evening near the corner of 34th Avenue Drive E. and 1st Street West, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

State police are asking for help in locating the driver of the vehicle that hit and killed Kimora Samuel, 5, of Bradenton. The second victim, Richecar Polinice, 15, of Bradenton is in Manatee Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. The two were crossing the street together.

The crash took place near the Mira Lagos Apartment complex and the Oaks Plaza Strip Mall just after 6 p.m. Monday night. The unidentified vehicle was westbound in the driveway access from Mira Lagos Apartments at 358 34th Ave Dr E.

The two pedestrians were crossing US 41 eastbound just south of 34th Ave E. The hit and run driver turned left onto U.S. 41 when the front of the vehicle hit the two girls.

The teenager was thrown into the center turn lane of U.S. 41 and the 5-year-old was left in the left southbound lane of U.S. 41.

The vehicle drove away from the scene traveling south on U.S. 41. Two other vehicles were traveling south on U.S. 41 in the left lane. Both vehicles were unable to avoid the 5 year old and drove over her body, without the tires making contact.

The hit-and-run vehicle is described as a 4-door dark colored vehicle, possibly
dark blue or dark green. If anyone has any information about the vehicle or the crash, the Highway Patrol is asking that they contact Corporal Carroll at 941-751-7647 Ext 100.