An Augusta toddler who died Friday night after being struck by a car was outside with family as they were mourning the death of the girl’s grandmother, according to social media posts.
Now, they are grieving the heart-breaking death of 2-year-old Aura Demoni Moody, who was identified Saturday night by Coroner Mark Bowen.
Authorities say Aura was playing on the sidewalk with family along Peters Road in Augusta. Suddenly, a woman drove up on the sidewalk where the child was playing and ran her over. The child was rushed to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where the victim was declared deceased upon arrival, sheriff’s Sgt. Walter McNeil Jr. said. No charges have been announced for the driver, who has not been named by authorities.
The death has devastated the family as well as the Augusta community at large, with hundreds sending their thoughts and prayers online. Meanwhile, the family and others have provided new details.
Javise Hopkins said the family was gathered together for strength for one another because they just lost a family member Wednesday. “(Aura’s) mother is a wonderful mother, auntie, niece, granddaughter, daughter and person. This is a lot on them,” Hopkins wrote on Facebook, encouraging prayer and encouragement from the community.
A witness said she was at Wellstar MCH Hospital on Friday night when the Moody family was told the girl had passed. The family as well as cops and nurses all broke down, she said.
“Everyone waiting in the waiting room with their children were emotional and holding their children a little tighter,” said the woman, who goes by KySha KySha on Facebook. “I cried and prayed so hard for this family. … Hearing the whaling and pain from her father was something that still rings in my mind.”
An autopsy will be scheduled, Bowen said. Peters Road is located within Allen Homes community, sitting off Laney Walker Boulevard and next to Gordon Highway.
The death follows another pedestrian death on Wednesday. In that case, James King, 52, of Hephzibah, was crossing Deans Bridge Road at Barton Chapel Road when he was struck by a vehicle, the coroner said.
King was transported by EMS to Doctors Hospital ER where he was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday. No other details or suspect information has been announced in that case.
(If you have a better photo of Aura to share, please text it to 803-487-3224.)
