A makeshift memorial is seen at a gas station where a 2-year-old was killed in Woodland, California. (KCRA via CNN Newsource)
The Yolo County District Attorney has filed charges against 34-year-old Woodland resident Julio Navarro-Vidrio in relation to an incident that resulted in the death of a toddler.
Navarro-Vidrio was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of child endangerment and a case enhancement alleging that the crime involved great bodily harm and that the victim was particularly vulnerable.
On March 16, 2-year-old Ailahni Sanchez Martinez was struck by a vehicle at the 76 gas station in Woodland, located at 300 West St.
Investigations revealed that Navarro-Vidrio had left his truck running while parked at a gas pump with a 3-year-old child in the backseat. When Navarro-Vidrio went inside the gas station store, the 3-year-old climbed out of their car seat and into the driver’s seat.
The truck began moving forward and collided with Martinez who was near a taco stand on the edge of the lot. Martinez was transported by family members to the hospital where she later died.
Investigators determined the 3-year-old got behind the wheel by accident.
Navarro-Vidrio is out of custody, and will be arraigned on the charges on May 10 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 1 of the Yolo County Superior Court.
Originally published at Robyn Dobson