Kindergartner killed in hit-and-run the day after his 6th birthday, family says

CHALMETTE, La. (WVUE/Gray News) – A kindergartner in Louisiana was killed in an alleged hit-and-run the day after his sixth birthday.

Family members have identified the victim as Deaunta White, 6.

According to the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Deaunta was hit by a 2007 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck at around 8 a.m. on Monday at a neighborhood intersection in the town of Chalmette.

Deputies said the driver of the pickup truck fled the scene, and Deaunta was pronounced dead at the hospital.

About 10 hours after the crash, the sheriff’s office said they arrested 41-year-old Napoleon Espino, who was booked on a charge of hit-and-run causing death.

The sheriff’s office said deputies arrested Espino after linking him to the pickup truck that they said struck Deaunta and fled the scene.

At least one home nearby captured surveillance video of the crash, deputies said.

A makeshift memorial now sits feet from where the kindergartner was struck. It’s a place where friends and family gathered on Monday evening in grief.

The family said they celebrated Deaunta’s sixth birthday the day before he was killed with an Incredible Hulk-themed party.

The boy’s uncle described him as joyous and loving, calling the crash tragic.

“[His birthday party theme] was Incredible Hulk,” his uncle Donald Williams said. “He wanted to be The Hulk this year, because he was 6 years old, but he was 112 pounds. Maybe 5′1,” 5′2,” big fella. But he always loved Spiderman. I’d tease him, he’s going to break Spiderman’s web.”

Williams said he couldn’t fathom the driver’s decision to flee.

“It’s crazy to believe people like that exist in the world,” Williams said. “You see some atrocious things out here or whatever. But a 6-year-old child ... you keep moving?”

Williams said he believes the driver’s final judgment will come from God.

“You deal with God. I’m only a man. You deal with God. God has the final judgement. And you can close your eyes at night and whatever, and when you meet your maker, I hope you be ready,” he said.

Deaunta’s mother Claudine Swatt said she is heartbroken.

“This is just the beginning,” she said through tears. “I’m just waiting for the nightmare to stop. And I fall asleep, and wake up, and realize it’s real. ... (I’ll talk about) how nice he was and how much he is going to be missed and how loved he was. He was a Pisces. Loving baby. He [turned] 6 yesterday.”

Swatt said the loss of her son leaves a hole in her heart that can never be filled.

“He didn’t deserve this,” Swatt said. “He was an outside person. He liked to play a lot. He was a chunky little thing. He liked to eat a lot. But, overall, he had a beautiful heart. He would give you the shirt off his back. All the hugs and kisses in the world. Just a lot to miss.”

The family had planned to have a birthday dinner for Deaunta on Monday night, but instead they were holding a vigil to remember him.

“He wanted a steak, specifically,” Swatt said. “The steak is still sitting in there, marinating.”

His big brother Deangelo White described Deaunta as a loving and fun child.

“We had a lot of fun together. Liked playing football together,” White said. “I’m going to make it to the NFL for him. I love you, Deaunta.”

White says he wishes he got to tell his little brother “Happy birthday” one more time.

“I’d say, ‘Happy birthday,’ because it was his birthday yesterday. And ‘Come get your steak,’” White said.

Deaunta was a kindergarten student at Meraux Elementary. School leaders said grief counselors will be on campus this week.

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