DETROIT – Ghadeer Salah, 12, was playing with her 16-year-old sister on the beach at Belle Isle when a vehicle ran them both over.
The crash happened Monday (May 30), just off of Riverbank Drive, according to Michigan State Police.
Related: 12-year-old girl dies, 16-year-old stable after driver struck them on Belle Isle beach
Troopers said a 23-year-old Ypsilanti man was traveling in a Mercury four-door car when he left the roadway, went onto the beach, and struck two girls. He then fled the scene, police said.
“Cars are weapons, and that is what is happening here,” said Metro Detroit Yemeni Community Leader Mohamed Sohoubah.
According to officials, the 12-year-old died Tuesday from her injuries. Her 16-year-old sister has been upgraded to stable condition at a nearby hospital.
Read more: Man in police custody after 2 girls critically hurt in Belle Isle hit-and-run
Officials said that the 12-year-old girl had died from her injuries after being struck by a driver who went off the roadway and onto the beach on Belle Isle over the weekend.
Detectives took the Ypsilanti man into custody on Detroit’s west side. They said they’re calling him a suspect, and he remains in custody.
MSP said that drugs and alcohol had been ruled out in this case, and they are urging the community not to jump to conclusions about what they have seen in the viral video.
The four-door Mercury was also recovered, according to authorities.
Editor’s note: Police originally reported the sister of the victim to be 14 years old, but later said she was 16. The change has been reflected in the story.