First-Grader Killed While Crossing Street in NE

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By Allison Klein and Martin Weil

Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, April 24, 2007; Page B04

A 6-year-old girl who was crossing a Northeast Washington street yesterday was struck by a hit-and-run driver and killed before her mother's eyes, police and witnesses said.

Crysta Spencer was heading to an after-school program at the Mount Olive Baptist Church about 4:30 p.m. when she crossed Sixth Street NE near Orleans Place, authorities said. Police said she was not in a crosswalk.

The death comes as authorities in the District and its suburbs have focused increasing attention on preventing pedestrian fatalities.

"My baby is gone," said Crysta's mother, Christina Spencer. It happened, she said, "because somebody had to do a hit and run."

Spencer said she was watching from the stoop of the family home on Sixth Street as her daughter tried to cross. The street is a few blocks south of Gallaudet University and is lined with rowhouses. Cars were parked against the curb.

After striking her daughter, Spencer said, the motorist kept going.

"If you did it, please come forward," she said, addressing herself to the driver. "You took her life, and you can't replace that."

"Just be a man," the mother's brother said to the driver, whose gender was not immediately clear. "Respect your responsibilities and turn yourself in."

Crysta Spencer was in the first grade at J.O. Wilson Elementary School. She would have been 7 on May 7, relatives said.

They said she loved the book and television character "Dora the Explorer" and liked to sing and dance.

"I was going to give her the biggest birthday party she ever had," said Rita Christopher, her godmother.

D.C. Council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) called for a stop sign to be placed on Sixth Street at Orleans Place by this morning.

"There's a lot of kids that play up and down the street here," Wells said. "We've got to find a way to slow folks down. It's dangerous."

Police said last night that they believed the 6-year-old was struck by a large, green sport-utility vehicle with tinted windows, possibly with Maryland tags. Police suspect that the vehicle has front-end damage.