9-year-old hit by vehicle during attempted carjacking in Minden

MINDEN, La. (KSLA) - What was supposed to be a fun road trip to Orlando for a cheer competition turned into a nightmare for one family on Wednesday, May 3. According to Minden police, a 9-year-old girl was hit by a car close to midnight at the Love’s Travel Stop after an attempted carjacking. Officials say the girl and her dad were at the checkout counter inside when he saw a vehicle pull up beside his car. He reported seeing a man get out of the passenger side and then get into his car, where his two teenage daughters were sitting inside. The dad ran out of the store toward the vehicle and the suspects retreated, hitting the 9-year-old in the process. She was airlifted to a Shreveport hospital and treated for her injuries. She suffered from two bone fractures, road rash and a deep laceration on her head. She’s expected to make a full recovery. Chief Jared McIver says they are treating the investigation as an intentional hit-and-run. He also confirmed the vehicle the suspects were in was reported stolen. The driver of the vehicle was later taken into custody, with a bond of $2.5 million. And police later confirmed that the second suspect has been arrested. Concerns of potential human trafficking spread across social media Wednesday. McIver said it’s unclear if that was the motive in this incident. “Could it be trafficking? Possibly, or they were just stealing the vehicle. We’re not 100% sure on that yet.”