Woman charged in death of two children struck by van near their Prince George’s elementary school – NBC4 Washington

June 21, 2024

A Hyattsville, Maryland woman has been charged in the deaths of two young children who were struck by a car on their way to Riverdale Park Elementary School.

Olga Lugo Jiminez, 51, faces manslaughter and other charges following the tragic incident on November 20.

According to initial reports, five-year-old Sky Sosa and ten-year-old Shalom Mbah, accompanied by Sky’s father Franklin Sosa, were on a crosswalk near their school when they were hit by a van driven by Lugo Jiminez.

The children were taken to the hospital but later succumbed to their injuries. Franklin Sosa was also hit but did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Prince George’s County District Attorney Aisha Braveboy expressed her condolences to the families and promised justice for the victims.

“My deepest condolences go out to the parents of these young souls lost in this horrific event,” said Braveboy. “We will hold Ms. Lugo Jiminez accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Lugo Jiminez was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of causing great bodily injury or death to a vulnerable person while operating a motor vehicle. Under state law and the involuntary manslaughter law, she faces up to three years in prison for each count of death.

Jiminez was an employee of a school transportation company that was not affiliated with Prince George’s County Public Schools.

The incident sparked a great deal of grief in the community, and in response, the intersection became a makeshift memorial with flowers, stuffed animals and candles placed near the scene of the accident to remember the young lives lost.

“Driving is not a right. It’s a privilege,” said Braveboy.