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'She had a smile that lit up a room.' Family mourns 6-year-old girl killed by driver who sped through red light

Posted at 9:40 PM, Sep 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-10 23:09:54-04

DETROIT (WXYZ) — Family and friends are speaking out after a 6-year-old girl was killed by a speeding driver who police say didn’t pay attention to traffic lights.

The incident happened in the area of Plymouth and Southfield on Sept. 7. Six-year-old Nala Kali Law’s life was taken after a reckless driver crashed into the vehicle Nala was in, killing her and injuring three others.

“(It) destroyed our family's lives that night... killed my 6-year-old daughter,” said Karone Law, Nala’s Father.

Nala was a passenger in a Dodge caravan when police say a speeding driver in a Chevy Silverado pickup blew through a red light at a high rate of speed.

“It’s very difficult right now," Karone said. "We’re just staying together as much as we can. Showing as much support to each other as we can."

Karone says the accident happened in the evening hours on Sept. 7. The vehicle Nala was in also had three other passengers who were severely injured in the crash.

“(The crash) put my aunt in a coma," Karone said. "(It) broke several bones in her body. Her son suffered a broken jaw and her other son suffered leg injuries."

Police say the Dodge caravan was traveling south on the Southfield freeway service drive, when the 43-year-old driver of the Silverado traveling west on Plymouth, collided with the caravan. Now, a memorial is placed where this horrific crash happened.

“To not be able to get her smile and energetic, charismatic ways out of my mind it’s a nightmare," said family friend and State Rep. Latanya Garrett. "So, if I’m feeling this way I can only imagine what the family is feeling.”

Family and friends say this was a careless and senseless accident that changed so many lives. Karone says his daughter was a special angel, who touched so many people in just a small time.

“She had a smile that lit up a room, a personality that lit up a room," Karone said. "She touched a lot of people in her six years."

This weekend there will be a vigil for Nala. A GoFundMe has been created to help the family during this difficult time.