A man has finally been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run death of Kianna Underwood. The former Nickelodeon star died on Friday, January 16, after being hit by two vehicles in New York City. The former Nickelodeon star was 33.
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Man Arrested For Hit-And-Run Death Of Kianna Underwood
A 72-year-old man, Michael Griffiths, was arrested on Tuesday, September 29, in connection with the hit-and-run death of Underwood, according to ABC7NY. She was hit by a black 2021 Ford Explorer that he was driving as she crossed the street on a crosswalk in Brooklyn. NYPD said he crossed the yellow double line to pass another vehicle when he struck Underwood.
Griffiths was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. In addition, he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injury. Subsequently, she was hit by another vehicle — “struck by a black and gray sedan” — as she lay on the street, per ABC7NY. That driver also left the scene. No second suspect has been identified or arrested.
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Kianna Underwood Died After Hit-And-Run Accident In New York City
The Shade Room reported that Underwood died after being hit on the morning of Friday, January 16. The authorities added at the time that the driver might not have seen the actress crossing the street.
Underwood had just left a bodega when she was struck by Griffiths’ black SUV at approximately 6:50 a.m. As she laid in the intersection, she was hit again, per ABC7 NY. The ‘All That’ star was dragged at least two blocks after she was hit the second time, and she was found dead near the intersection of Pitkin Avenue and Osborn Street in Brooklyn. Graphic video footage captured Underwood as she was dragged beneath the vehicle.
Griffith Claimed The Other Driver Dragged Actress
Griffith reportedly said at the time of the accident that he knew he hit “something,” and pulled over, according to the New York Post.
“At the time it was a little bit darkish,” he recalled. “I was going to work.… It felt like I hit something, and I pulled over and stopped…. I did nothing wrong….. I felt like I was going to faint when the incident happened.”
The then-71-year-old also claimed that after pulling over, he saw:
“Another car hit the person and started dragging the person…. I felt like I was going to faint when the incident happened.”
Griffith claimed that he then left the scene to take his medication.
