A tough decision for the family of six-year-old Shianna Aston. Seven weeks after she was injured while crossing the road, her family decided to discontinue life support. She died this morning. The family already lost her 4 year old sister Shayla back in May. Both girls were seriously injured on May 7th when they were hit by a driver while crossing the road on their way to a friend's house.
After news of Shianna's death broke St. Joseph County Prosecutor Michael Dvorak announced a grand jury will review whether any charges should be filed against the driver. Witnesses say 56-year-old LeRoy Hoover tried to take off after the accident. But so far, no charges have been filed
Neighbors were holding out hope that the older sister would survive. So Wednesday's news hit the entire community pretty hard. And now that both girls are gone, those neighbors want to know why the man police say hit the girls is not behind bars.
"Everybody kept getting the paper everyday looking to see about it," said Hoover's Neighbor Barbara Stevens.
It happened here on the corner of 11th and Dodge in Mishawaka. Two months ago a car hit two little girls, sisters, crossing the street.
"It's...it's just sad. I feel sorry for the mom," said Neighbor Kristin Cavinder.
Neighbors mourned the lost of the younger sister, Shayla, the day after the accident. Now they're mourning again for six year old Shianna who passed away Wednesday morning. This is a video tribute posted on You Tube. Neighbors like Kristin Cavinder want to know what's being done.
"I don't think he should have his driver's license. I think they should take it away. I think he should go to jail for what he did," said Cavinder.
‘He' is Leroy Hoover. Police say Hoover was the driver who hit the girls. They questioned and then released him. We caught up with Hoover outside of his apartment just two blocks away from the scene of the accident.
"Are you Mr. Hoover?
Yeah.
Can I ask you some questions?
About what?
About the two little girls...the Aston girls?
No, I'm sorry."
Hoover's neighbor Barbara Stevens says Hoover told her daughter it wasn't his fault.
"He said he didn't really mean it. He just couldn't see. He had one of his spells, he was blanked out he said," said Stevens.
Hoover has not been charged in the accident. Catherine Wilson from the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office says they've requested a grand jury to review whether any charges should be filed. Under Indiana law, grand jury proceedings are secretive and there's no timetable. But for neighbors who want answers now...that explanation is not enough.
"How come they didn't do it when he first hit them and dragged the little girl down the street?" asked Stevens.
Grand juries are secretive because they're used to protect witnesses and jurors to make sure they feel comfortable speaking freely and listening to the case without outside influence. No word on funeral arrangements for Shianna.
Reporter: Nadia Crow
