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11-Year-Old Atlanta Girl Killed By Tow Truck; Driver Gets $100K Bond

Victim Told Mother 'I Love You' Before Being Struck

Saturday, June 21, 2008 – updated: 5:48 pm EDT June 21, 2008

A tow truck driver made his first appearance Saturday in misdemeanor court on charges that he struck and killed an 11-year-old girl as she walked to school.

Police say Alexis Johnson was hit as she crossed the street at the intersection of Funston and Custer avenues about 7 a.m. Friday morning.

Police charged truck driver Cirilo Figueroa, 68, with second-degree vehicular homicide, a misdemeanor, and making an improper lane change.

Cirilo Figueroa, the tow truck driver charged with hitting and killing 11-year-old Alexis Johnson

Figueroa's bond was set at $100,000, which included $90,000 for second-degree vehicular homicide and $10,000 for improper passing.

Seconds after kissing her mother goodbye and saying "I love you," the 11-year old girl was headed to summer school class at Benteen Elementary School when she was struck and killed.

  • SLIDESHOW: 11-Year-Old Atlanta Girl Struck, Killed By Tow Truck
  • Figueroa was arrested at the scene.

    Witnesses told WSB-TV Channel 2 Alexis rode a MARTA bus to the school with her mother.

    The bus stopped to allow her to cross the street, but Figueroa crossed a double yellow line, pulled into the lane for oncoming traffic and struck the girl as she stepped out from in front of the bus, according to witnesses.

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