DUNWOODY, Ga. — An 8-year-old girl named Maryah was killed in a car crash over the weekend in Southwest Atlanta, and the driver accused of causing the crash was already facing charges for similar crimes.
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Jose Alejandro Cuahuizo-Varela, the driver accused of driving under the influence and hit and run, had previously been indicted on state charges for DUI and hit and run two years ago. He was out on bond when the crash occurred on Saturday night, resulting in the death of Maryah.
“They took a star away from us,” Latazamisha Nunn, Maryah’s mother, told Channel 2’s Candace McCowan.
Cuahuizo-Varela was charged with DUI and hit and run after a crash along Buford Highway in Brookhaven two years ago, although no one was injured in that incident. He was arrested again this year when he was indicted.
He is accused of slamming into Nunn’s car Saturday along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, with four children in the Honda Civic.
He allegedly tried to leave the scene after the crash.
Bond was denied for Cuahuizo-Varela this week, and he remains behind bars.
Nunn said in court she was told he is not a U.S. citizen. Channel 2 has reached out to ICE regarding his status.
Maryah’s mother said is determined to see justice for her daughter and hopes to prevent others from experiencing similar pain.
The family has started a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses. They honored Maryah’s memory Wednesday night with a vigil.
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