Man arrested after 16-year-old killed in fatal hit-and-run in Marion

MARION, Ind. (WISH) – Police have arrested a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run accident that killed a 16-year-old girl Thursday morning.

20-year-old Pedro Garcia was arrested in connection to the incident, after Garcia admitted to being the driver involved.

Police responded to the 700 block of South Miller Avenue around 5:30 a.m. Thursday. They found 16-year-old Reamey Bell unresponsive on the scene, and pronounced her dead shortly after.

Police said they spoke with Teresa Wilkerson, 44, who was at the scene and also involved in the accident.

Wilkerson told police she was driving north on Miller Avenue when she saw a girl run toward the rear of a vehicle parked in a driveway. She said while she was driving past the front of the driveway,  Garcia’s vehicle backed up at the same time, causing the girl to be pinned between the two cars. Wilkerson said her vehicle spun, and the car that backed out of the driveway quickly drove away from the area.

Investigators tracked Garcia’s vehicle in the 3600 block of South Nebraska Street and eventually located Garcia. They said he admitted to being the driver who backed out of the driveway and fled the scene.

Garcia faces preliminary charges of leaving a scene of an accident resulting in death and a level five felony. More charges could be forthcoming.

The investigation is ongoing.

Family members and friends for Bell said they will hold a vigil at Matter Park in Marion at 8:30 Thursday night.