Victim recalls moment driver plowed into crowd, killing 16-year-old in downtown Minneapolis

One of the victims of a fatal hit-and-run crash in downtown Minneapolis shares her story as she recovers from a broken leg.

A 16-year-old boy was killed and five others injured when police said a woman drove into a crowd of people gathered at the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and 5th Street early Saturday morning.

Damary’onia Jarrett, 14, was injured in the crash.

It was difficult for her to talk about the incident and she asked 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS not to show her face on camera.

A full-length cast on his leg and crutches to help him walk are a constant reminder of a memory
Damary’onia can’t get rid of it.

“My friend was fighting. I was going to break up the fight. Someone hit us with a car,” she said. “Everyone was screaming. I just needed help. No one was trying to help me. When I finally got help, I was panicking.”

As she was lost in the moment during the interview and fighting back tears, thankfully her father came into the room to bring her comfort.

“Bright, wonderful, intelligent, the love of my life. She’s the sunshine of the family,” said father Reginald Jarrett.

But he explained that what he sees now is different.

“It’s devastating. This is my first child. This is my baby,” he said.

Reginald explained that his age is linked to a narrative he hopes to disrupt.

“Everybody has done something at that age that their parents didn’t approve of, that they didn’t know about. So you can’t judge my child or these people based on one incident,” he said. “Don’t lie to your parents. Just tell them where you are, because in the blink of an eye, your life can change.”

Her parents said they didn’t know she was downtown until they got the call about the accident.

“She called me on the phone and said, ‘Mom, mom, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done,'” said Esque Dickerson, the mother.

Dickerson rushed to the hospital, where they learned of the injuries to their daughter and 16-year-old De’Miaya Broome, who was killed in the crash.

“I struggle every morning because I kind of watched her take her last breath because they put them both in the same room,” Dickerson said.

“I’m so sorry,” Damary’onia said through tears. “She didn’t deserve this.”

The 22-year-old suspect, Latalia Anjolie Margalli, was taken into custody on suspicion of murder.

She is being held in the Hennepin County Jail and charges are expected to be filed Tuesday.

A fundraiser has been set up to help Damary’onia’s family cover her medical expenses during her road to recovery.