Arrest made in hit-and-run death of boy who was walking dog

VARNVILLE, S.C. (AP) - A woman has been charged in the hit-and-run death of a 4-year-old boy who was killed as he walked his dog on a South Carolina road.

Jennifer Nicole Miller was driving the vehicle that hit Ja’Karie Breland and his uncle last weekend in Varnville, investigators said.

The boy was killed, while the uncle and dog survived, authorities said.

Investigators used statements from witnesses, video from nearby businesses and evidence they got from Miller’s vehicle to make the arrest, Varnville Police Chief Tyrone Smith told The Island Packet of Hilton Head.

Miller, 30 is charged with hit-and-run causing death, which is a felony. She remained at the Hampton County jail Friday morning and it wasn’t known if she had a lawyer.

Ja’Karie was a smart, silly boy who brought lots of joy to other people, his mother told the newspaper.

Smith said help from the State Law Enforcement Division as well as Hampton County deputies and town of Hampton police helped crack the case.

“I also want to thank the family for their patience and thank God for his favor, because all of those factors led to the arrest,” Smith said.