Marion Police have arrested a man they believe is responsible for a crash that killed a 16-year-old girl.
Markings on the pavement near the intersection of 7th Street and Miller Avenue show the spot where police found the body of Reamey Bell of Sweetser early Thursday morning.
"When I found out about it, I didn't think it was true. So I got on Facebook and it was all over Facebook," said Cheyeane Tabor, a friend of Reamey.
Reamey had walked out of a house in the 700 block of south Miller Avenue around 5:30 a.m. Thursday and stepped behind the Pontiac in the driveway when it suddenly backed out hitting her and then backing into an oncoming car.
Investigators say Teresa Wilkerson was the driver of the car struck by the Pontiac. She told police the suspect vehicle struck her vehicle so hard, it spun it around to face the opposite direction. Reamey was pinned between the vehicles and crushed.
Wilkerson says the suspect vehicle stopped briefly, then fled the scene northbound.
"I don't like how they just drove off and left her there to hurt and die, I mean they could have tried to save her at least," said Tabor.
The driver of the Pontiac sped off, leaving Reamey in the roadway. The driver of the other car waited for police to arrive.
"They could have stopped and tried to help her, but instead they drove off. Like a bunch of cowards. Couldn't face up to what they did," explained Chelsea Philebaun, another of Reamey’s friends.
It's unclear if she was intentionally hit or if this was an accident.
Police located the vehicle believed to be involved in the crash shortly before noon Thursday in the 3600 block of South Nebraska Street in Marion. The owner of the vehicle, 20-year-old Pedro G. Garcia of Marion, was also at the location where the car was found.
While he was being interviewed by police, Garcia admitted to driving the vehicle that allegedly struck Bell.
He was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. More charges could be filed at a later date.
"She was an awesome person to be around. She was always protective of her loved ones. You could never talk about one of her friends, her family, without her stepping into it. She would put her life on the line for anyone that she loved. She was just an outstanding person," said Philebaun.
