Detroit police have arrested a 31-year-old woman for the hit-and-run murder of Tiffany Watson-Vance, a pregnant, 41-year-old mother of five, whose death earlier this week was captured on video.
Shedrica Odessa Smith pleaded not guilty at her arraignment, WJBK said.
The incident took place early Monday morning when two groups of people gathered near Watson-Vance’s home on the city’s east side, near Hellman Community Center, to settle a dispute, Detroit Police Chief James White said.
Video of the incident shows a Nissan Murano driving circles around Watson-Vance, then driving over the grass and down the street and returning to strike her — narrowly missing Watson-Vance’s 10-year-old son.
“Our suspect took off at a high rate of speed, but did not leave the location,” White said, according to WDIV. “She decided to circle the location, driving over the grass and, ultimately, striking the victim.”
Watson was not a participant in the fight near her home, the chief said, adding that the driver “viciously attacked” her and did so “intentionally.”
“It appears that the victim was a bystander, but she was clearly in the path of the vehicle, and there was no attempt by this person of interest to avoid her,” he said. “There was no attempt. It was direct.”
Watson-Vance was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
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[Featured image: Screenshot from WJBK video]