Los Angeles: On Thursday, February 7, 2002, at approximately 6:30 p.m., witnesses said they observed 32 year-old Los Angeles resident, Houstis Maddox, driving a vehicle at a high rate of speed westbound in the alley of the 1100 block of West 58^th Street in Los Angeles.

According to those witnesses, the station wagon driven by Maddox then struck a parked car in the alley, and to their horror, violently hit a four year old child who was exiting her family's auto with her mother and father. The impact was so severe that the child was thrown over the hood of the rushing vehicle and fell to the roadway in the wake of the car’s path. Witnesses to the scene followed suspect Maddox to a nearby residence and observed him run into the building.

Responding to the scene, Los Angeles Police officers were directed to the location where suspect Maddox fled following the collision. Maddox was taken into custody without further incident.

Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported the severely injured child to Daniel Freeman Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

Suspect Maddox was subsequently arrested and booked at 77^th Street Area Jail for Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated.

Anyone with further information regarding this crime, is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department, South Traffic Division Detectives, at 213-485-7417. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jack Richter, Los Angeles Police Department, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.