Man charged in death of 3-year-old girl struck by pickup truck at Northland Estates

CEDAR SPRINGS — A 33-year-old man has been charged in the death of a 3-year-old girl who was struck by a pickup truck last week at Northland Estates Mobile Home Park, the Kent County Sheriff's Office said.

Daniel Richard Bryant was arraigned Monday in the 63rd District Court on two felony charges: reckless driving causing death and second-degree child abuse.

The charges stem from the April 3 death of Estella Marie Johnson, 3, in the Cedar Springs mobile home park just north of 16 mile road.

According to court records obtained by The Bugle, Bryant was driving home from another residence within Northland Estates when the girl was struck by his truck.

In a probable cause affidavit, Bryant told deputies the child liked to run alongside the truck and race him. He said her brother, who was inside the vehicle, yelled for him to stop. Bryant told investigators that was when he found Estella beneath the truck, according to the affidavit. Bryant, who was not the father of Estella, was engaged to her mother.

Emergency crews responded and attempted life-saving measures, but the girl died from severe injuries, authorities said.

Bryant’s bond was set at $500,000 cash or surety. A preliminary examination is scheduled for April 22 at 9:30 a.m. as the case makes its way through the court.