The parents of a 4-year-old girl killed in Wednesday's hit-and-run crash returned to the KinderCare in Winter Park where it all happened, still trying to come to terms with the loss of their young daughter.

Lily Quintus died at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital from her injuries. Florida Highway Patrol investigators said 28-year-old Robert Corchado crashed into another car that was turning into the KinderCare parking lot, sending that car crashing into the side of the building.

Investigators said that was Corchado's second hit-and-run crash ▼ in just five months.

Friday evening, Lily's parents asked us if we know anything more about how exactly the car hit by the accused hit-and-run driver, Robert Corchado, could have gone so far and so fast, almost all the way through the day care building.

So, we walked through the scene of this crash with James Copenhaver, an Orlando private investigator and former sheriff's detective with years of law enforcement experience, to see if he could shed some light on what happened here.

"Vehicle 1 was already committed to making this right-hand turn," said Copenhaver, referring to the Toyota Solara that was turning into the day care, when investigators say Corchado hit his car, sending it into the building.

"Imagine, when making a turn, your wheels pointed all the way to the right. So, you get that friction, and that force is going to catapult the car in the direction that the wheels are turning," Copenhaver explained.

The Solara ended up in the back of the building. To go almost completely through, what does that tell Copenhaver about the speed involved?

"Without a question, that car was like a bullet going through the building," Copenhaver told us. "Did the driver of Vehicle No. 1 accidentally hit the accelerator and panic? That was an E-ticket ride for him, I'm sure. Did he contribute to the speed by accelerating the car by accident? That would be the question I would have for him."

The Florida Highway Patrol's investigation remains active, and we won't know for sure exactly what happened until that investigation is complete.

Other children who were in the day care gathered together for the first time since the crash at nearby Arbor Ridge Elementary School on Friday to share memories of the friend they've lost.

Wearing clothes depicting princesses and superheroes, the children made sympathy cards for Lily's family and their friends who are still in the hospital. They also each signed signed a book for the Quintus family.

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Corchado linked to previous hit-and-run

Robert Corchado turned himself in Thursday on charges of leaving the scene of a deadly accident. He appeared in court Friday, when a judge initially approved a bond of $100,000.

However, state prosecutors deemed Corchado a flight risk, saying they have good reason to believe he would flee the country after posting bond.

The state has until Monday to file a motion for pretrial detention, which would revoke Corchado's bond.

Corchado has been in trouble with the law before. In 2005, he spent 22 months in prison for extortion, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. He also served three years behind bars for trafficking cocaine in 2010.

But just five months before Wednesday's deadly crash, Corchado was charged with leaving the scene of another crash that involved damage and numerous drug offenses.

Jennifer Korrea, the victim in a hit-and-run in December 2013, said she and her husband were furious after hearing the name Robert Corchado again.

"I will never forget that name," Korrea said.

The crash in December happened less than 3 miles from the Winter Park KinderCare, where 4-year-old Lily Quintus was killed.

"Oh, my God, it broke my heart," said Korrea. "I feel really bad for that family, because that guy should never had been behind the wheel."

Korrea said after Corchado hit her car in December, he tried to drive off down the street, but his car was too damaged.

"Somebody hit my car on the side of the road, and it was a really loud boom," Korrea recalled. "He was kind of out of it. Somebody came to pick him up, but the cops got there first."

According to an arrest report, officers found heroin, cocaine and methylone -- the synthetic drug better known as Molly -- which Corchado tried to hide in a nearby mailbox.

Authorities said Corchado was waiting for a court date for that case, when Wednesday's deadly crash happened.

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KinderCare memorial grows

Throughout the day Friday, people have stopped by the Winter Park KinderCare to pay their respects at a makeshift memorial for 4-year-old victim Lily Quintus.

One woman called a nearby Home Depot, who dropped off supplies to plant a memorial garden filled, appropriately, with lilies.

Kaydette McGee said she doesn't know anyone involved or impacted by the crash, but felt compelled to help.

"When you drop your babies off at day care, this is the last thing you expect to happen," said McGee. "I am the mother of seven, and to see a horrific accident like that was just heartwrenching."

Other kids from the day care and their parents dropped off flowers, balloons and stuffed animals.

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Fund for 4-year-old's family raises over $60,000

While the memorial outside the KinderCare continues to grow, so does an online fund set up for the family of 4-year-old Lily Quintus.

The fund was posted Thursday at www.gofundme.com/883lrc with a goal of raising $10,000 for Lily's family to pay for her medical and funeral costs.

As of Friday afternoon, the fund has raised more than $66,000.

Groveland firefighter Scott Judd set up the fund for the Quintus family. Lily's father, Brian Quintus, is a firefighter and paramedic for the Groveland Fire Department.

"He loves his family, especially his kids." said Judd. "He'd bring in videos, pictures -- everyday he'd have a story of what happened at the house."

Groveland firefighters have also donated their personal days off so Quintus can take as much time as he needs to grieve with his family and still receive a paycheck.

Area fire departments have already volunteered to cover the city of Groveland, so every firefighter there can attend Lily's funeral services, which her family spent Friday finalizing. No dates were immediately announced.

Judd joined Groveland firefighters at the crash scene Friday.

"Everything everyone is doing is just tremendous," said fellow firefighter Josh Walsh. "He's given so much of his life to helping the community, being a paramedic firefighter for over five years. Seeing the community coming together is just touching."

Equally touching were the prayers of 4-year-old Jahaliyah Toledo, who said Lily was her best friend.

"Give them the strength that they need to pull through. Amen," Jahaliyah prayed.

Jahaliyah previously lost her mother in a car crash. This week, she found herself dealing with tragedy for a second time in her young life.

"I know my friend is with mommy in heaven," she said.

"It was only five minutes before I picked up my daughter and left the day care that the accident happened," said Jahaliya's father, Alberto Toledo.

"I gave her a hug and a kiss when I left," Jahaliyah added.

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Funds for other day care crash victims

More funds have been set up to help the families of the surviving victims of Wednesday's day care crash:

  • Kaleb's Recovery Fund - www.gofundme.com/88zs54
    To help the family of a 4-year-old with multiple broken bones and serious burns.
  • June Lynn DeCalzada Recovery Fund - www.gofundme.com/88swxw
    To help the family of a 3-year-old girl in critical condition at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital.
  • Help Reunite DayCare crash Dad w daughter - www.gofundme.com/88ppag
    To help the father of a young girl whose leg was broken in the crash fly to Orlando from San Diego.

If you know of another fund for a victim or victims in the crash at the Winter Park KinderCare, please email us: newsdesk@mynews13.com

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