DORCHESTER, Mass. (WHDH) — Thirty-six-year-old Olivia Mora appeared in court on charges that she was driving drunk when she struck and killed a 7-year-old girl walking home from school on Tuesday.
Mora was arraigned Wednesday in Dorchester District Court on charges including drunken driving and motor vehicle homicide.
“I just hope that the person that did this doesn’t get away with it,” Julia Perez said.
Police say the 36-year-old Mora’s SUV was speeding down a Boston street at about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, struck a parked vehicle, jumped the curb, and knocked over a hydrant before striking the girl and her mother while they walked along the sidewalk. The girl’s mother was severely hurt.
Mora’s lawyers said the crash can be blamed on bald tires, but according to police she failed three field sobriety tests.
Witnesses say Mora tried to back up her SUV but was stuck in the dirt and would have run over the victim again.
“A tragedy at this time of year, Thanksgiving. A young mom and her 7-year-old walking home,” said Acting Boston Police Commissioner William Evans.
Police say Mora tried to leave the scene on foot but was restrained by several people.
Witnesses also said they knew the girl was injured and wanted to try to save her, but were worried about making the situation worse.
“Something in me was telling me to just lift her forehead up so she could catch some air because she was face down. I felt guilty because I was going to do it but I could hear everyone around me yelling ‘don’t touch her, don’t touch her,’” Nicole McFarland said.
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles said Mora hasn’t had a valid driver’s license in the state, but a drivers license she had from California shows multiple violations dating back to 2000.
Mora is the mother of a three-year-old girl herself and they live in Dorchester.
The judge decided to hold Mora without bail, and she is due back in court again in January.
The Glendalee Alvarado Fund has been set up for anyone who would like to help.
Grendalee Alvarado Fund, care of Attorney Joseph J. Machera,
220 Beach St.,
Revere, MA, 02151.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.