Family of little girl killed speaks out after taxi driver who suffered seizure in crash charged in Bronx

Lucy Yang Image
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Family speaks out after driver charged in death of child in Bronx
Lucy Yang speaks to the victim's parents exclusively.

MOUNT EDEN, N.Y. (WABC) -- The green taxi driver who crashed his cab onto the sidewalk along the Grand Concourse in March, killing a little girl and a young man has been charged with two counts each of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

5-year-old Tierre Clarke was the youngest in her family. She loved being called a princess.

Tierre loved singing and dancing, hugs and kisses, and a good party.

That's where she spent her last few hours alive, at a birthday party.

"It was her last day," said Sanequa Howe, the victim's mother.

For the first time ever, Tierre's parents are talking about the tragedy which crushed their family.

It was a cold and snowy night on March 20th.

Mother and daughter were on E. 149th St. in the Bronx waiting for the bus home.

Officials say that's when the green taxi jumped the curb.

25-year-old Kadeem Brown and little Tierre were killed.

Tierre's mother suffered multiple fractures as well, but nothing compares to her broken heart.

"When we are waiting for the bus, she gave me a kiss and she was dancing around, she never saw it coming," Howe said.

"Just before she passed, she said, 'Daddy will you always love me?' 'Of course! Why would you ask that? Give me a hug,'" said Rohan Clarke, the victim's father.

Half a year later, the driver has now been charged. Authorities say Emilio Garcia is epileptic but failed to take his medicine that day and suffered a seizure while driving his car.

He is now facing two counts of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

"Unfair. No way to repay the debt of what was taken," Howe said.

"'Smile daddy, give me a hug. I love you. Have a good day.' She used to run my life," Clarke said.

Bail for Garcia has now been set at $100,000 which he has not posted. He faces up to 15 years if convicted. His next court date is

January 21st.

Related Story: 5-year-old girl, man killed when taxi jumps curb in the Bronx