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4-year-old killed after being struck by car at Mall of Georgia identified

By and FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Updated  March 11, 2024 11:21pm EDT
Buford
FOX 5 Atlanta

4-year-old killed walking with father at Mall of Georgia

Marina Hernandez says her 4-year-old daughter, Abby, was struck and killed at the Mall of Georgia on Sunday. She calls Abby her gift from God.

BUFORD, Ga. - Gwinnett County police identified the child who died after being hit by a car in the Mall of Georgia parking lot over the weekend.

Abigail Hernandez, 4, was walking with a 31-year-old man and a 7-year-old girl when the three were hit by an unnamed 18-year-old driver outside of Dick's Sporting Goods. Hernandez was rushed to Children's Scottish Rite Hospital where she died from her injuries.

The adult and other child suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said the teen driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with officers. The car, a 2004 white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, has since been impounded.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Abby Hernandez' mom: ‘Now is going to be the hardest part'

Marina Hernandez, the mother of little Abby, told FOX 5 she felt her life change in an instant when the pickup truck ran into her family.

"I'm just so hurt, and I don’t know what to say," the heartbroken mom said.

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Abigail Hernandez (Photo submitted by family)

Abby was walking with her big sister, Adalynn, and her father on Sunday afternoon. They were buying new baseball gear from Dick's Sporting Goods.

"It's not fair what happened," Marina told FOX 5. "He bought her some glasses and she said, ‘Papi, I’m going to wear these glasses at my big sister’s game.’"

They were holding hands, crossing the road in the parking lot when it happened.

Dick's Sporting Goods at the Mall of Georgia in Buford.

"A car came out of nowhere," Marina said.

Abby's dad and sister suffered minor injuries. Abby was less fortunate.

Marina said her daughter was a joyful little girl who loved pre-school, dancing and singing at church.

"She wanted to be an artist. And then, sometimes, a doctor," Marina remembered. "She brought so much happiness to everyone."

Marina grew emotional, telling FOX 5 it was just last week that she looked at her little girls and wished they could stay young forever.

Marina Hernandez, the mother of 4-year-old Abigail Hernandez.

"I was just like, 'I never want you guys to grow up," she said.

She fought through tears thinking about the life Abby would never get to live.

"Now is going to be the hardest part, going back home and going through her room and not seeing her there," Marina admitted. "I can’t imagine what I’m going to be going through, honestly."

Abby's aunt, Lauren Paz, set up a GoFundMe campaign to help the family.