UPDATE January 14th (5:00 PM) -- Courtney Gainey surrendered herself to members of the US Marshals Fugitive Warrants Task Force. She had been on the run since Saturday night's hit and run crash that took the life of Allana Staiano.
Gainey surrendered at the Waffle House on Daniels Parkway.
Allana's family and friends gathered at the site of the crash on McDaniel Drive and felt a sense of relief when they heard Gainey turned herself in.
Allana's sister Alexis Staiano said she felt a mix of emotions. Still sad after losing her sister, but glad Gainey will finally spend the night in jail.
“My sister can rest in peace. I know it was hurting my sister, the whole time. Knowing that that lady was still roaming around. it was hurting all of us. All of us wanted her in jail,” she said.
She was arrested and charged with Hit and Run (Failure to Stop/Remain at Crash involving Death) and Hit and Run (Failure to Stop/Remain at Crash involving Injury other than Serious Bodily Injury), both felonies.
A warrant for the arrest of Courtney Gainey, 23, was issued for the hit and run crash that took the life of Allana Staiano just after 7 p.m. on January 11th.
Some living in the Suncoast Estates community tell us 14-year-old Allana Marie Staiano was a 7th grader at Caloosa Middle School.
Allana’s mom, Christine Gray, confirmed that her daughter died.
As a memorial builds near the site of the alleged hit-and-run, many gathered throughout the night to remember Allana.
They sat at the base of a cross which now stands near the scene.
That’s where they reminisced, laughed and cried together.
Gainey was last known to be living in North Fort Myers. Detectives believe that Gainey knows she is wanted and, therefore, is trying to hide from law enforcement.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gainey is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.
