Police: Girl, 6, killed in DUI crash in Dover; suspect arrested

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Thursday, July 21, 2016
VIDEO: Dover fatal
VIDEO: Dover fatal

DOVER, Del. (WPVI) -- Police have arrested a 26-year-old man following a vehicle crash that killed a 6-year-old girl in Dover, Delaware.

It happened around 8:26 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the White Oak Condos, located in the 1000 block of White Oak Road.

Police say David Randall attempted to park his Ford Focus in a parking space in front of the L building.

But instead, Randall sped forward onto the sidewalk where 6-year-old Anya Jackson, her mother LeShell Wiles, and a family friend were standing.

Wiles says she stood in front of her daughter when Randall sped up onto the curb and hit them.

"I jumped in front of the car to take the blow so he wouldn't hit my baby," said Wiles.

Action News was told when Anya was first hit she flew to underneath a bush where the vigil for her was made. Then her body was picked up by someone and brought out to the street where everyone gathered around her to pray until help arrived.

"I will remember forever everybody coming together around her just praying together," said Wiles.

All three victims were taken to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where Anya died from her injuries.

Her mother and the other victim were treated for nonlife-threatening injuries.

Action News was there Thursday as Leshell Wiles visited her 6-year-old daughter's memorial, collapsing at the site.

"I seen him, I jumped in front of the car. And I keep saying this, I wasn't trying to be a hero," said Wiles. "My daughter, if you see how little she is, she was the littlest one out here and we were in his direct path."

Action News was also there Thursday as Randall was walked in and out of court.

Police say Randall was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

He is charged with vehicular assault and driving under the influence.

Still, Wiles says her daughter is never coming home. She's adds it's going to be a long road to recovery if she ever even gets there.

"I'll never hold my child again," said Wiles. "She's never going to get a hug from me and hold her and let her know everything is going to be alright. She will never tell me she loves me 50 times a day. I'll never sit down to eat a meal with my child again."

Wiles tells us her daughter was so smart. She was on the honor roll at school, and already knew she wanted to be a gymnast when she grew up.