Driver sought in hit-and-run death of toddler

By KERANA TODOROV
Register Staff Writer

Napa Police officers continue to look for the driver of a car suspected of Saturday’s fatal hit-and-run that cost the life of 2 1/2 year-old Mattea Reynolds, police said Sunday.

The child, who was found unconscious along a curb on Old Sonoma Road near Juvenile Hall, died from her injuries at Queen of the Valley Medical Center Saturday morning.

A witness, a driver, who was westbound on Old Sonoma Road and saw Mattea walk alone at 5:15 a.m., has been found, Cmdr. Andy Lewis said Sunday.

The witness, whose name was not released, saw a car driving eastbound on Old Sonoma Road — a 1980s four-door American-made sedan with chrome side trim, Lewis said.

“It’s a car of interest,” he said.

The search continues for other witnesses as well, Lewis said, including a pedestrian who alerted a Juvenile Hall employee on her way to work after seeing Mattea walking alone on Old Sonoma Road near Juvenile Hall.

Police said the Hispanic woman wore a navy blue or black windbreaker, and dark pants, and carried a lunch box or bag.

Lewis could not say why the witnesses did not prevent Mattea from walking on the road.

“That’s a good question,” he said.

Betty Reynolds, the victim’s grandmother, lived with Mattea and other relatives in an apartment near Juvenile Hall. Reynolds reported the child missing at approximately 5:30 a.m., according to police.

Police officers were responding to the call just as the Juvenile Hall worker headed to work.

The Juvenile Hall employee found the girl lying unconscious near a south curb of Old Sonoma Road, directly across the street from Juvenile Hall, and carried her across the street. The employee and emergency workers attempted first aid; the child was then transported by Piner ambulance to the hospital.

Lewis declined to say where the child’s mother was early Saturday morning. He also declined to say if the apartment’s front door was locked.

The big question is why the child left home alone early Saturday morning, Lewis said.

“We’re looking at the dynamics of that particular household,” he said.

On Sunday, Reynolds’ husband, Ron Fryer, said Mattea was a very bright child who could have opened the front door.

“We locked the door,” he said, referring to the apartment’s front door.

The child’s mother, Jolene Reynolds, was not home when Fryer and his wife realized that Mattea was missing, Fryer added.

Betty Reynolds said on Saturday evening she called police after she got up to go to the bathroom, saw the lights on, and could not find Mattea home. Fryer said they found the front door unlocked.

In the meantime, neighbors and others continued to leave flowers, candles and messages in Mattea memory near the curb where the child was found unconscious early Saturday morning.

Arrangements for a memorial are pending.

Napa Valley Register Copyright © 2009