UPDATE (07-20-19): Earnest Ponder is now in custody. He turned himself in this morning at Volusia County Jail.
UPDATE (07-19-19): Police say that Ponder was behind the wheel of a green Chrysler 300 when he attempted to back up the vehicle, running over the toddler in the process.
The toddler has been identified as Ary'myis Ford. The report says that Ford was found lying on the ground in the parking lot of an apartment building off of 430 North Charles Street.
Ford was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center by paramedics shortly after being found, but he was soon pronounced dead.
DBPD has confirmed that they are now in the process of obtaining an arrest warrant against Ponder on two felony counts of leaving the scene of a fatal accident and driving with a suspended license during a fatal accident.
Earlier reporting below.
Daytona Beach, FL - Police are searching for the suspect who killed a 22-month-old toddler in a hit and run incident.
Not many details are available just yet, but according to the Daytona Beach Police Department, the accident occurred in a parking lot off of North Charles Street around nine o'clock last night (July 18th).
Daytona Beach police also said that they're looking for 29-year-old Earnest Ponder, who is the main suspect in this incident.
Initial reports, according to DBPD's Public Information Officer Messod Bendayan, says Ponder was seen running north on Charles Street to North Street after the incident.
He's described as a black male, 5’9" to 5’11", 160-180 pounds, with tattoos on his right and left arm, wearing a white shirt, gray shorts and glasses. He also apparently goes by the nickname "Boss."
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call police immediately.
This story is still developing, check back later for new details.
