Two Year Old Struck and Killed in Parking Lot

A Salem man was arrested later in the night, charged with striking and killing the little girl.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Police say a small child was struck and killed by a vehicle in an apartment parking lot last night at 5:52 p.m.

Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada says officers and Salem firefighters were dispatched to 3876 Sunnyview Road NE regarding a child that was struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of the Stoneridge Apartments.

The child, two-year old Erika Rubi Meza was struck by a pickup truck that left the scene after the incident. Due to her injuries, Erika Meza died at the scene.

Okada says a subsequent investigation showed Erika and her sister were walking through the parking lot of the apartment complex when a white Ford four door pickup truck struck Erika. The truck continued through the parking lot and left the scene on Sunnyview Rd NE.

The Salem Police Traffic Unit was called in to conduct the crash investigation and remained on scene until 11:00 p.m.

Later in the evening at 11:40 pm, the Salem Police Department received information advising the truck involved in the accident was located in the 2100 block of Maple Avenue NE in Salem.

"Officers responded to the scene and ultimately arrested Juan Lopez-Perez for Felony Hit and Run. Lopez-Perez is 31 years old and a Salem resident. Lopez-Perez was lodged in the Marion County Jail and is set for arraignment at 1:00 p.m. today."

This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Salem Police Department Traffic Unit at 503-588-6171. Further information will be released by the Marion County District Attorney's Office.