4-year-old girl killed in Glendale hit-and-run

GLENDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- A 4-year-old girl was killed in a hit-and-run crash at Wilson Avenue and Olive Street in Glendale Friday night.

At 4:55 p.m., the young girl, identified as Violeta Khachaturyan, was with family members when she was struck by a car at the intersection. Her tiny body was flung almost 50 feet into the back window of a parked car.

A person living near the intersection said he heard screams.

"I heard a loud bang and screaming so I ran outside...I said, 'what's going on?' and see a little girl right on the floor," David Lopez said.

Investigators said Violeta and her parents were on the front lawn of their home off Wilson Avenue when she suddenly ran between two parked cars into traffic.

"The girl ran by herself and then the family was telling her something and then I guess she didn't listen and the car just hit her," witness Sabrina Lopez said.

No description on the driver was available, and the car is described as a white or beige sedan.

Glendale police said the driver never stopped, which turns the tragedy into a felony.

"Based on the weight of the child and the distance the child was thrown, we know the driver knows he or she hit something and we know there's damage to that vehicle," Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Violeta was taken to Glendale Adventist Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Neighbors in the area and friends of the little girl's family placed candles and flowers at the trunk of a tree near the intersection where she was hit.

Arshak Bareghamyan said Violeta was a fun, energetic little girl. He pleaded for the driver to turn his or herself in to the police.

"Please, the driver...come forward. I mean all we have at this point is a white car. I mean, if anybody knows any information, anybody seen anything - this is the time to do the right thing," he said.

The Glendale Police Officers Association is accepting donations to assist the family. Checks can be made out to: GPOA Cops for Kids.

Please indicate the donation is for the Khachaturyan Family in the memo portion of the check. Anyone with questions regarding donations can contact the GPOA office at (818) 246-9053.

Investigators reviewed several surveillance videos from nearby businesses and buildings to see if the suspect was captured on camera.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Glendale Police Department at (818) 548-4840.