Sacramento, CA – On the evening of Thursday, June 11, 2026, a pedestrian hit-and-run resulted in the death of Avianna Hill, 9, of Sacramento, and left her father, Preston, hospitalized in the ICU, according to KCRA.
The Sacramento Police Department reports that the accident took place before 8:00 PM in the area of 36th Street and 19th Avenue in the Oak Park neighborhood.
Avianna and her father were riding a minibike together when a vehicle struck them and fled the scene. Both were transported to a local hospital, where Avianna was pronounced dead. Preston remained in the ICU at the time of reporting, with family members saying he was still struggling to process what had happened.
Authorities later identified Miracle Meritt, 30, as the suspect. Meritt was arrested on felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office indicated the case required additional investigation before a filing decision could be made.
The community has rallied around Avianna’s family in the days since her death. A memorial was set up at the crash site, filled with notes, stuffed animals, candles, and photographs, and neighbors held a vigil with a balloon release in her honor.
A GoFundMe has been established to help the family with funeral costs and medical expenses. The investigation remains ongoing.
Ongoing Investigations
Victims of traffic accidents and their families should be aware that authorities may fail to note or even misinterpret critical evidence at a crash site. One of the services that a Personal Injury Attorney can provide is to pursue follow-up investigations, which can reveal additional evidence to correct any errors made by previous investigators.
Wrongful Death Claim
Losing a loved one in a traffic accident is devastating, and the pain can be made worse by the financial strain that often follows. Medical bills, funeral costs, and the loss of income to support dependents of the deceased can leave families struggling. Filing a wrongful death claim against those responsible can provide compensation to help with these expenses.
California Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California pedestrian accident lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
