Stephanie, a seven-year-old girl, was struck by a 92-year-old woman on Monday as she was leaving a pharmacy in Coral Gables, Miami-Dade. She succumbed to severe head injuries. Her father, Yoany Figueredo, told Univision that after four days in an induced coma, doctors confirmed she had brain death.
"My daughter has officially passed away. They reported brain death. The procedure was done, I was there. All tests were conducted, and she didn't respond. Her mother and I decided to donate all her organs," the devastated father detailed.
In a ceremony with all her family present, Stephanie will be honored by wearing the dress she would have worn to celebrate her eighth birthday on September 21. "We will honor her this way, wearing that dress. By donating her organs, she becomes a hero," the father said tearfully.
Another gesture that will immortalize her is the recording of Stephanie’s heartbeat, which was placed inside a teddy bear that has become very special to the family. "When they gave it to me and I heard it, I broke down," admitted the grieving father.
In statements to Univision, a teacher from Stephanie's school, where she was in second grade, described her as "brilliant" and noted that she deserved the highest grades in all subjects. "In seven years, if we achieve what she did in seven years, the world will be very different," the teacher concluded.
The father, who calls for stricter controls for elderly drivers, says his daughter was adored by everyone because she was special. He is certain that despite her physical departure, "Stephanie came to stay" in the hearts of everyone.
At the time of the tragic accident, mother and daughter were shopping together in preparation for her older brother's birthday celebration, which was the same day. The father explained that the girl was holding her mother's hand as they were about to cross the street.
"A car was coming, they stopped, the car passed, another car was far away, they kept crossing, and out of nowhere, the car that hit her appeared," Figueredo explained about the accident, which occurred outside the Navarro pharmacy located at 2120 SW 23rd Avenue in Coral Gables.
Stephanie was the youngest of four children of Yoany Figueredo but the only child of her mother. The 92-year-old driver, who remained at the scene and whose identity has not been revealed, confused the accelerator with the brake, leading to the fatal accident that has plunged a family into mourning and prematurely ended a young life. She was cited by authorities for negligent driving but is not expected to face criminal charges.
FAQs on the Tragic Miami-Dade Accident Involving a Young Girl
Here are some frequently asked questions about the tragic incident that led to the death of a young Cuban-American girl in Miami-Dade, providing insights into the accident and its aftermath.
What caused the accident?
The 92-year-old driver mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, leading to the tragic accident.
What actions have been taken against the driver?
The driver was cited for negligent driving but is not expected to face criminal charges.
How is the family honoring Stephanie?
The family is honoring Stephanie by donating her organs and dressing her in the outfit she would have worn for her eighth birthday. They also recorded her heartbeat and placed it inside a teddy bear.
What did Stephanie’s teacher say about her?
Stephanie's teacher described her as "brilliant" and deserving of the highest grades in all subjects, noting that her achievements in seven years could inspire significant change in the world.