ICYMI: Lawrenceville Grandma Arrested For Killing Toddler With Vehicle

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — An almost two-year-old girl was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by her grandmother in Lawrenceville on Tuesday, according to police.

Gilma J. Ordonez-Guevara, 44, of Lawrenceville, was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, hit and run, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and driving with no license.

She was booked into Gwinnett County Jail shortly before 8 p.m.

The toddler —23-month-old Valeria Leiba — died as a result of her injuries after being transported to Gwinnett Medical Center.

The incident happened shortly after 4 p.m. in front of the girl's house at 1005 Memory Lane in Lawrenceville.

Gwinnett County Police say that, when they initially spoke to Ordonez-Guevara, she denied being involved in the incident.

She lives at another house in the same neighborhood and officers found a yellow Hummer in her driveway. Police say evidence collected after a search of the vehicle conflicted with her previous statements.

During a second interview, investigators say, they learned that she had struck the child as she was backing out of the driveway at 1005 Memory Lane.

After the collision, Ordonez-Guevara carried the child inside the home, got back into her vehicle and drove her vehicle to her house, police say. Leaving her vehicle there, she then walked back to the scene of the accident, according to investigators.

"There are not enough words to help bring solace to the victim’s family during such a tragic loss," Gwinnett Police Cpl. Michele Pihera said in a news release. "We want the family to know that many people in Gwinnett and the surrounding communities are thinking of them during this difficult time."

Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department