MINNEAPOLIS — A 21-year-old man is charged after a 3-year-old was seriously injured last week in a hit-and run in northeast Minneapolis.
Jaelyn Evans was charged Monday with criminal vehicular operation after prosecutors say he struck a 3-year-old while pulling out of an alley near Lowry Avenue Northeast and Third Street. Court documents say Evans admitted to being the driver, and was aware that one of the witnesses tried to stop him from driving off.
The family of the girl, Elise, said she is expected to survive, but she suffered a broken tibia, bruises to her lungs, lacerations to her face and bleeding in her liver. Court documents say she also had a traumatic brain injury.
According to the criminal complaint, Elise was walking on the sidewalk with her mother when a vehicle pulled out of the alley and hit her. One witness told investigators that the vehicle "slowed and acknowledged the collision," before running over the girl with their back tire and driving off.
Officers used surveillance video from a nearby business to get information on the vehicle, including the license plate number.
On Monday, Elise's family said she is home but is unable to sit up because of the body cast. The family added that she's still healing but is expected to make a full recovery.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with medical expenses.
