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The Augusta woman who accidentally rolled over 2-year-old Aura Moody and killed her while driving on a suspended license last month has been arrested.
Yasmine Upshaw, 27, was arrested Tuesday for homicide by vehicle, driving while license suspended or revoked, and emerging from an alley or driveway. The vehicular homicide charge is a misdemeanor. In Georgia, when emerging from an alley, building, private road, or driveway, drivers must stop before entering a sidewalk or the sidewalk area, and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles on the roadway.
The tragic incident occurred on March 22, when little Aura was playing on the sidewalk in front of her Peters Road home, surrounded by family members who were mourning the recent death of her grandmother. Upshaw reportedly drove onto the sidewalk while attempting to park her car, a 2015 Chrysler 200, accidentally hitting the gas instead of the brake. The car struck the child, who was rushed to Wellstar MCG Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The accident occurred in the Allen Homes community, near Laney Walker Boulevard and Gordon Highway. In the hours following the fatality, residents questioned why Upshaw had not been immediately arrested. Authorities stated the investigation was ongoing and the results would be forwarded to the county solicitor.
Upshaw later told authorities she had mistakenly hit the gas pedal, causing her vehicle to cross the sidewalk and hit Aura. Upshaw and the vehicle’s owner, Jquez Washington, drove the child to the hospital, but tragically, she did not survive.
Following Aura’s death, her mother, Ikeila Carter, shared her overwhelming grief and the family’s struggles on GoFundMe, where over $5,000 was raised to assist them. Carter, who recently lost her grandmother and is trying to find a new home, expressed the heartache of losing her child while facing ongoing personal hardships. She has asked the community for prayers and support during this difficult time.
Aura is survived by her parents, Ikeila Carter and Damian Moody, Sr., as well as five siblings. A funeral service for the young girl was held last Wednesday at Beulah Grove Baptist Church, with interment at Walker Memorial Park.
Her obituary remembers her this way: “Aura’s departure has left a profound void in the hearts of her loved ones. Her playful giggles and innocent smiles will resonate in their memories as they navigate life without her physical presence. While her journey was fleeting, the impact she made in her little time was everlasting.”
The post Woman Arrested After Tragic Death of 2-Year-Old on Augusta Sidewalk appeared first on AugustaCrime.com.
