Dallas

Boy, 12, Arrested, Accused in Fatal Hit-and-Run That Killed 82-Year-Old Dallas Woman

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A 12-year-old child has been arrested and charged with murder in a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed an 82-year-old woman last month.

Dallas Police said 82-year-old Florence Kelly's gray Honda Accord was entering the intersection of Royal Lane and Rosser Road just after 11 a.m. on Nov. 7 when her car was struck by a Toyota Avalon speeding eastbound on Royal Lane.

Kelly was taken to a local hospital where she later died. A 13-year-old who was pinned in the front passenger seat of the Avalon was hospitalized with serious injuries.

A security camera on a nearby home recorded the driver of the Avalon and several passengers running from the scene.

On Dec. 7, Dallas Police said they had arrested the driver of the Avalon and that the person behind the wheel at the time of the crash was a 12-year-old boy.

Because of the child's age, his name will not be released.

“I just cannot fathom some of the things that we've heard, that we've learned about him. It's just unbelievable," said Kelly's son Donovan Kelly.

One month after losing his mother, Kelly said he remains in a state of disbelief.

Known to most as Kristine, Kelly said his mother loved unconditionally, gave endlessly to her children and grandchildren and served as her husband's caretaker in the wake of a stroke.

"There was nothing that she would not give us, nothing that she would not do for us, and that's gone. We have the memories and the example that she set that we certainly strive to follow. But to be able to see her and talk to her, we don't have that anymore," he said.

He said Wednesday's news of an arrest brought the family some sense of closure.

“He's killed somebody. He's taken an innocent life, and there are consequences for your actions. I don't really care how old you are. He consciously decided to get behind the wheel of the car and drive it with no driver's license, obviously no real driving experience, and basically hurtled into our mother's car, killing her," said Kelly.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

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