Jayne Hounslow, 8, killed in hit and run outside Burlington school
A person is in custody after an eight-year-old girl died following a hit and run outside Central Public School in Burlington, Ont., police said.
According to Halton regional police, Jayne Hounslow had just gotten out of her parent's car around 5: 30 p.m. Wednesday and was crossing a driveway to enter the school's east entrance when a white SUV struck her as it was exiting the parking lot.
"The SUV exited the lot without stopping, and turned westbound on Baldwin Street," said a police news release.
Jayne died in McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton after she was taken there by ambulance.
Const. Ryan Anderson said at a news conference Thursday morning that police located and took into custody a 21-year-old resident of the area with help from witnesses who assisted in identifying the car. The suspect was charged with failing to remain after an accident, said Anderson.
"What took place last night is a massive tragedy," he added.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
'This family is irreparably changed'
Colette Ruddock, superintendent of education with the Halton District School Board, told CBC News the board is "deeply devastated."
"This is an absolute tragedy. The school, the community is heartbroken," she said.
Ruddock said the board's tragic events response team was on site Thursday morning, as well as support for staff, who are "devastated."
Marianne Meed Ward expressed her condolences in a tweet and said she's "absolutely heartbroken and devastated."
"We are a community in mourning. We stand together and our thoughts are with the family, the community, the school board, and the first responders who answered the call last night," read the tweet.
Karina Gould, MP for Burlington, said her heart goes out to the family.
"This family is irreparably changed and a little girl is gone because someone decided to drive [recklessly]. This is unacceptable," she said in a message on Twitter.
