The passing of 11-year-old Hailey Brooks during the recent Raleigh Christmas Parade is a sorrowful event in two aspects. Primarily, it is a sorrow for Hailey Brooks and her family.
This young girl lost her life in an unnecessary act of violence, and her family will never be the same. Additionally, it is a tragedy for the community of Raleigh.
This incident has shaken the city to its core and underscores the requirement for improved safety measures at public events. Following this tragedy, it is essential for us to unite as a community to offer support to Hailey’s family and to guarantee that something like this never occurs again.
It is a heart-wrenching loss for her family, friends, and community. Furthermore, it underscores the hazards of parade participants being struck by vehicles.
While the inquiry into the accident is ongoing, it seems that the pickup truck driver lost control and accelerated into the dance troupe that Hailey Brooks was a part of.
This type of accident highlights the necessity for enhanced safety measures for parade participants, such as barriers between them and the parade route.
No child should perish while participating in a parade, and no family should endure such a devastating loss.
Hopefully, Hailey Brooks’ demise will not be futile and will result in increased safety measures to evade future tragedies.
Landen Christopher Glass, the 20-year-old driver of the truck that collided with and claimed the life of 11-year-old Hailey Brooke on Saturday, has been apprehended and accused of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, improper equipment, unsafe movement, carelessness and recklessness, and carrying a firearm in a parade.
As the Raleigh community grieves over Brooks’ death, memorials have arisen along Hillsborough Street near Boylan Avenue, where the crash unfolded. One memorial reads, “Hailey, dancing in the arms of Jesus!”
This year’s Raleigh Christmas parade will have a somber note, including a tribute for Hailey.
The accident occurred when an out-of-control pickup truck pulling a parade float collided with the girl performing with CC & Company Dance Complex.
The group had participated in the parade in previous years and was scheduled to perform again last year, but the float accident led to the cancellation of their performance.
Hailey was transported to the hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries. This year, a memorial will be held for her outside CC & Company Dance Complex, which is closed this week.
The Driver Was Detained For Several Offenses
Christopher Glass was identified as operating the GMC Denali that veered out of control on Saturday by WRAL Investigates during the October 30 ticket.
Defective exhaust systems and absence of marker lights were among the other violations. Online records are ambiguous regarding the type of vehicle Glass received these fines for.
In the aftermath of the collision on Saturday, the Raleigh Police Department apprehended Glass and pressed misdemeanor allegations against him for driving under the influence, being reckless, using defective equipment, maneuvering unsafely, and carrying a firearm during a procession.
According to judicial records, Glass resides with his parents in Goode, Virginia, where WRAL News visited on Monday.
WRAL News endeavored to reach Glass and his family members from the vicinity of the “no trespassing” signs on the property.
A family member relayed to WRAL News that Glass will not be making a statement. A member of the Glass family indicated that the family attorney would issue a statement at a later time.
The initial court date for Christopher Glass is January 26, 2023.
Christopher reportedly informed the police that he “works on safety systems of autos,” as per the arrest warrant.
As per the search request, Glass has “no inspection, tint violations, defective equipment, and speeding” on his record as driving infractions dating back to 2021.
Christopher Glass was featured in Instagram posts from 2018 representing CC & Company Dance Complex in dance contests. As of 2022, it is unknown what role he is connected to the business.
