Sep 3, 2008 11:33 pm US/Eastern
Cab Driver To Stand Trial In Deadly Hit-Run
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Tyrell Elliott, 5, was killed during a hit and run crash on August 24.
CBS
A Philadelphia cab driver will go to trial in the hit and run death of a five-year-old boy several weeks ago.
Cab driver Yves Aristilde was in court Wednesday following the deadly crash that killed Tyrell Elliott, 5, and left his 23-year-old mother, Dana Reynolds, critically injured in the early morning hours of August 24.
According to an eyewitness, Reynolds was carrying her son while crossing Wyndham Street when a Yellow Cab driven by Aristilde ran a red light and struck the pair.
Elliott was thrown from his mother's arms and died at the scene. Reynolds was critically injured after she was thrown up onto the car's hood and windshield.
Aristilde's defense attorneys contend he sped off following the crash because he heard gun fire, even though he knew he hit two people, according to his statement to police.
Assistant District Attorney John Doyle said there was no evidence found to corroborate whether or not there were gunshots following the accident.
"If that story had any truth whatsoever, it would seem to me the logical thing to do would have been to turn himself immediately into the police," Doyle said.
Doyle suggested in court Aristilde abandoned his cab several blocks away and waited 14 hours to surrender in order to "sober up."
Reynolds and family members attended Wednesday's hearing. Her sister, Janene Gibbs, said they are grieving the loss of a young child who touched many lives in the community, but they are also happy justice is being served.
"We're at that stage where we're forgiving him," Gibbs said. "We're at a loss right now and it's hard."
A charge of third degree murder was dropped against Aristilde, who is now being held on $200,000 bail.
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