Carjacked girl, mom pick up new wheels

BY KATHLEEN McGRORY

kmcgrory@MiamiHerald.com

Three months after a little girl from Allapattah fought off a carjacker, her family finally has a new car. They picked it up Wednesday from Potamkin Chrysler Jeep in Miami Lakes.

Atheysha Diaz was putting her two young children into the back seat of her car earlier this year when a man appeared in the driveway. He headed right for the driver's seat of the family's four-door Acura, Diaz said.

Diaz fought for control of the car, but was ultimately overpowered. The carjacker stepped on the gas and took off down the street, Diaz's two kids in tow.

Thankfully, 6-year-old Briana Castillo wouldn't stand for it. From the back seat, Briana battered the carjacker with a schoolbook, Sarah's Unicorn. She didn't let up until the man pulled over and motioned her and her 2-year-old brother out.

Briana unbuckled little Jose and opened the doors. The two got out and walked home.

Their story attracted nationwide attention, most notably from Ellen DeGeneres, who invited Diaz and Briana to appear on her daytime talk show last month.

''That was really brave of you to hit him over the head,'' DeGeneres told Briana on national television. ``That was smart thinking.''

By that point, police had found the family's car. It required a lot of work, though; the carjacker had ditched it after crashing into a telephone pole.

No matter. DeGeneres surprised Diaz with a new Chrysler Sebring at the end of the show.

''We're thrilled,'' Diaz said after the taping. ``This will really help. Getting Briana to school has been tough.''

On Wednesday, Diaz and Briana showed up at the Miami Lakes Chrysler dealership to pick up their new car. The white Sebring was adorned with a bright red bow.

''It's so exciting,'' Diaz told reporters as Briana danced around the car.

The story has another happy ending: Police have charged Erick Fuentes, 34, of Hialeah, with the carjacking. Fuentes, who has a long police record, also faces kidnapping, aggravated battery and battery charges, according to police.

He was picked up for an unrelated crime in March.