Surrey girl killed in hit-and-run remembered by father as ‘very bright, very loved’
Posted April 15, 2025 10:17 am.
Last Updated April 15, 2025 12:36 pm.
The father of the 6-year-old girl killed in a hit-and-run in Surrey on Sunday is remembering his daughter as an “absolute sweetheart.”
James Chang told CityNews on Tuesday that his daughter Jayla was a “very bright girl, and everybody that knew her immediately would fall in love with her.”
“She was very loved. Her family loves her, her friends miss her,” he said.
Dozens of bouquets, plush toys, and cards have been left at a growing memorial by friends, family, and strangers heartbroken by the tragedy. Photos of the young girl have also been placed near the site where she died.
Jayla’s father said, “She was one of those [people] that walk into the room and everybody knows her.”
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!“She had lots of energy and kindness, just an absolute sweetheart.”
One person CityNews spoke to on Tuesday morning stopped by the memorial, saying her son was in the same class as Jayla. The child is being remembered as a “very kind girl who played with everyone.”
The alleged hit-and-run happened Sunday at around 4 p.m., near 108 Avenue and 164 Street.
According to police, the girl was out for a walk with her parents, her 16-year-old brother, and 7-year-old sister when a vehicle struck the siblings.
Despite efforts by first responders, the 6-year-old died, while her siblings were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Chang says his two surviving children are recovering from injuries. “They’re dealing with it in their own way,” he explained.
“Her sister knows that she’s in heaven, and she can speak to her at any time. She’s just emotionally trying to get through.”
Chang adds she would have loved “every single one” of the things being left at the memorial site, including the snacks.
“Just wanted to thank everybody for coming out, the community, friends, family showing all the support, laying flowers and leaving stuffies,” he added.
The driver allegedly fled the scene, with police then tracking the suspect down about an hour later in a nearby neighbourhood. The suspect, a man in his 20s, was held in custody for several hours before being released without charges.
Police call the investigation “complex” and say it will take weeks, if not months, to gather all of the evidence and determine the cause of the collision. However, police previously shared that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
According to police, the suspect involved has not been placed under any driving restrictions.
The Surrey Police Service told CityNews Tuesday that those only come if someone is caught “behind the wheel” of the vehicle.
“This is a very complicated investigation that, amongst everything else, will require investigators to be able to find/have evidence and prove that the suspect was the person driving at the time of the collision,” Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said.
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