Girl’s leg amputated after being hit by car; Baton Rouge man charged

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A Baton Rouge man is accused of intentionally trying to run over a 3-year-old girl and others with his vehicle on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Jose Soza, 19, was charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder, and one count each of hit-and-run and aggravated criminal damage to property.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office was called a little after 11:30 p.m. to an apartment on GSRI Avenue. When deputies got to the scene, they found the 3-year-old girl with injuries that were considered life-threatening.

EBRSO said the girl was immediately taken to the hospital, where she underwent surgery to partially remove her intestines and treat an amputated leg.

A witness told investigators that Soza and an unnamed person got into an argument. While the argument was ongoing, Soza got into his vehicle and quickly moved forward before turning left, EBRSO said.

According to the affidavit, Soza “struck the 3-year-old victim, the stairwell, and the corner of the residential structure” and then left without offering help. EBRSO said a mother and grandmother were also close to the stairwell with the 3-year-old.

Soza turned himself in to the Baton Rouge Police Department. He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Sunday, Nov. 2.

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