Teen charged in Charlotte bus-stop death of 6-year-old Mariana Espinoza

A teenager faces a felony charge in last week's fatal hit-and-run in east Charlotte.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police announced Monday that Lachevis Finnie, 17, was arrested in the death of 6-year-old Mariana Espinoza. He was charged with felony hit-and-run resulting in death. Espinoza was crossing at an intersection last Friday after getting off her school bus when she was struck by a car. She was a student at Devonshire Elementary School. Police took her to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, and she died there the following day.

Court documents filed Monday identify Finnie as the driver of the Mercedes-Benz involved. Police released an image of a gray Mercedes-Benz on Monday morning as the car believed to be involved. By Monday evening, investigators said they identified Finnie as a suspect after "conducting a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle." The car was seized as evidence. An affidavit stated Finnie did not stop after the collision and did not call 911. The document said he claimed he fled "due to being scared." It also stated Finnie "confessed to striking the child" and has been cooperative with the investigation.

Finnie appeared in Mecklenburg County court Tuesday. He was appointed a public defender, bond was set at $2.5 million, and he was ordered to complete a mental health evaluation.