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Inset, left to right: Daniel Richard Bryant (Kent County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The area in Michigan where Bryant allegedly killed a 3-year-old girl (Google Maps).
A Michigan man, aged 33, is facing serious charges following the tragic death of a 3-year-old girl in his care. Authorities report that the girl was fatally struck by a pickup truck he was driving, during an alleged game of “racing” alongside the vehicle.
The suspect, identified as Daniel Richard Bryant, was apprehended last week in connection with the incident involving young Estella Johnson. Officials have suggested that alcohol consumption might have played a role at the time of the accident.
Bryant, who has been described by police as a “father figure” to Estella and is also engaged to her mother, is currently charged with reckless driving causing death and second-degree child abuse.
According to a statement from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, emergency services were dispatched shortly after 4 p.m. on April 3 to the 13000 block of Darcy Circle NE. They responded to reports of a child being hit by a pickup truck. Despite efforts to save her, Estella was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severe injuries she sustained.
Investigations revealed that Bryant was driving recklessly when the accident occurred, and authorities have highlighted the potential influence of alcohol. He is currently held at the Kent County Correctional Facility, and further charges may be filed as the investigation progresses.
The child was identified as Estella Johnson, according to MLive. The outlet reported that Bryant initially told deputies that he and the victim were “just racing up the street,” with the girl running alongside his truck in a Cedar Springs mobile home park at the time of the incident. Bryant said he had been driving back from a nearby family member’s home with another child when Estella began running next to the vehicle.
Bryant told investigators he was traveling around 10 mph when he heard the child’s sibling yell for him to “Stop.” At that point, Bryant said he realized Estella was underneath the truck, MLive reported, citing a probable cause affidavit.
Bryant also allegedly said the girl suddenly “ran under the truck,” Grand Rapids, Michigan, ABC affiliate WZZM reported.
Authorities, however, reportedly noted possible signs of reckless driving at the scene, including what appeared to be recent acceleration tire marks near the residence.
Bryant further admitted to deputies that he is an alcoholic and consumes about a half gallon of alcohol daily, according to investigators, and officers noted an odor of alcohol during his transport to jail.
Witness accounts paint a chaotic and heartbreaking scene in the moments after the crash. A neighbor who rushed to help told Grand Rapids NBC affiliate WOOD that he attempted CPR on the child, but was unable to resuscitate her.
“I was doing compressions on her chest, but by the time cops or paramedics got here, she was already gone,” the neighbor said.
Another neighbor described the emotional aftermath as the child’s mother arrived.
“I said, ‘Alyssa, you need to get home right now. Your daughter’s just been run over,’” the neighbor said, adding that the mother “just bawled” when she learned what had happened.
Bryant reportedly has prior driving-related offenses, including a previous reckless driving conviction. He is currently scheduled to return to court on April 15 for a probable cause hearing, records show.
Meanwhile, those who knew Estella are remembering her as a vibrant and loving child. Her obituary describes her as “curious, intelligent, outgoing, and feisty,” adding that she “loved to pretend, to explore, and to fully immerse herself in play.”
A judge on Monday ordered Bryant to remain in custody on a $500,000 bond, court records show.