Family of motorist who struck girls expresses grief in letter
The family of Alice Alava, the 78-year-old woman who struck three young girls in a North Las Vegas crosswalk last month, issued a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Friday.
Alava’s daughters Christina and Felicia wrote:
“The family of Alice Alava has remained quiet up to this point out of respect for the families of Amelia, Alyssa and Rain. We do not want anything to detract from their grief and their process of recovery.
“We want Mia, Rain and Alyssa’s families to know that we have received their sentiments and want to express our sincere gratitude. We are humbled by their spirit of forgiveness. They are true examples of Christians who honor God by example. …
“We continue to pray for Mia, that her soul rest in peace. We have set up prayer circles around this country with our family, extended families and friends so that Rain and Alyssa recover completely. We pray that Mia’s family will continue to find comfort in their faith. …
“And lastly, we pray that God will give us a day, sometime in the future, when all of our families can come together and grieve as one. God bless them now in their time of grief.”
Alava has not spoken on the advice of her lawyer, according to the statement.
North Las Vegas police announced Thursday that three misdemeanor charges are being recommended against Alava, a Henderson resident who drove the car that killed Amelia “Mia” Decker, 6, and severely injured Alyssa and Rain Mowery on Oct. 21 at Camino Eldorado and Bent Arrow Drive.
After the charges were announced, both of the girls’ families told the Review-Journal they forgave Alava.
Mia died three days after the accident.
Six-year-old Rain Mowery was treated for a fractured skull and released from the hospital. Her sister, 5-year-old Alyssa Mowery, remains hospitalized with critical injuries.
Police said Alava did not brake, and her vehicle carried one child almost 150 feet.
She faces three misdemeanors: vehicular manslaughter, failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk and unlawfully passing vehicles stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of six months in jail, fines of up to $1,000 per charge and the possibility of driver’s license suspension for up to one year.
The toxicology report police had been waiting for showed the woman was not impaired. If Alava had used drugs or alcohol before the crash, she probably would have faced a felony.
Investigators also have petitioned the Department of Motor Vehicles to evaluate whether Alava’s license should be revoked.
Alava has no prior traffic accidents on file, according to the DMV.
Michele Terry, Mia’s mother, said she was relieved the driver’s daughters did not blame their mother for the crash or the girls’ parents for entrusting the young children with older siblings.
“It was an accident. It does happen,” Terry said. “Unfortunately it happened to my family.”
Terry said Alava had told her “sorry” at the scene, but could tell the severity of the incident hadn’t quite hit her by the tone of her voice and expressions. Terry said she is sure the driver now truly shares her grief, as the family’s statement expressed.
“I want to thank her family for, in their way, supporting us as well,” Terry said. “I know she is very sorry.”
Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.
Read the full statement from Alice Alava’s family.
