A Utah County woman is now facing criminal charges after prosecutors say she drove with her view obstructed and fatally struck a 2-year-old child in Provo. The crash also injured the child’s 4-year-old sibling.
According to charging documents, 28-year-old Nereyda Yessenia Miranda Montano is charged with manslaughter and child abuse in connection with the death of 2-year-old Claudia Isela Sandoval Martinez. Montano is being held without bail.
The incident occurred at the Brough Trailer Court near 860 W. Columbia Lane. Police say the two children had been standing at the end of their driveway while their father worked on a bicycle nearby.
Investigators say Montano left her home with two grocery bags of trash placed on the hood of her GMC Yukon, blocking her line of sight. She reportedly intended to throw the trash away at a dumpster inside the trailer court. While driving, the vehicle allegedly veered out of its lane and struck the children.
According to an arrest report, video from a neighbor’s security camera shows the Yukon “traveling quickly” before the collision. Claudia was run over and suffered fatal injuries, while her 4-year-old brother, Esequiel, was able to partially move out of the way but still sustained injuries.
Family members have identified Claudia as a playful and loving toddler whose loss has devastated the community.
Montano has not yet entered a plea, and court dates are pending.