Michael Griffiths Indicted in Fatal Hit-and-Run of Kianna Underwood
Michael Griffiths, 72, has been indicted in connection with the January hit-and-run death of former Nickelodeon star Kianna Underwood in Brooklyn, New York City authorities announced on Tuesday, September 29, reported.
Indictment and Charges Against Michael Griffiths
Michael Griffiths was taken into custody and hit with multiple charges, including leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. The charges stem from the January 16 incident at the intersection of Pitkin Avenue and Mother Gaston Boulevard in the Brownsville neighborhood, where Underwood was struck while crossing the street.
According to city records, the 2021 Ford Explorer SUV driven by Griffiths accumulated 41 violations, which includes 25 citations for exceeding the speed limit. Despite the indictment and vehicle history, Griffiths claims he is not at fault for the 33-year-old actor’s death.
Disputed Accounts of the January 16 Collision
Griffiths told the New York Daily News days after the crash that he was heading to work when the collision occurred. “I did nothing wrong,” Griffiths stated, adding that dark conditions contributed to the event. “At the time it was a little bit darkish. It felt like I hit something, and I pulled over and stopped.”
Investigators establish that after Griffiths’ vehicle initially struck Underwood—who was crossing against a red light—a second vehicle described as a black sedan ran over the victim. The second vehicle dragged Underwood for two blocks before her body became dislodged on Pitkin Avenue near Osborne Street. The driver of the black sedan has not been identified or apprehended.
Griffiths maintained that he stepped out of his vehicle to flag down the second driver and aid the victim before fleeing prior to police arrival. He attributed his departure to fear of a medical episode due to missing medication. “I felt like I was going to faint,” he told the publication, and admitted to stonewalling police during initial questioning on the advice of his attorney.
Early Career and Entertainment Industry Background
Kianna Underwood grew up in Harlem’s Abraham Lincoln NYCHA housing complex, where early modeling work in local fashion shows and commercials launched her acting path. She secured a supporting role in the 1998 film The 24 Hour Woman and landed a prominent voiceover role as Fuchsia Glover in Bill Cosby’s Nick Jr. series Little Bill.
In 2005, Underwood returned to Nickelodeon for the tenth and final season of the sketch comedy show All That. Her credits also feature a voiceover role as Dakota in the animated TV movie Santa Baby and an appearance in Damon Dash’s 2003 film Death Of A Dynasty.
Public Struggles and Intervention Efforts
Following her television work, Underwood faded from public view, later facing documented struggles with homelessness, drug abuse, and erratic behavior. In 2023, former Nickelodeon co-star Angelique Bates publicly urged peers in the entertainment industry to step in and offer support.
“I don’t know what the whole situation is,” Bates said at the time regarding Underwood’s downward spiral. “You don’t know if there’s addiction. You don’t know if there’s mental illness. You don’t know what is at play right now.” Bates emphasized that financial fundraising alone was insufficient, calling instead for structured assistance plans.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Unresolved Questions
As the legal case against Michael Griffiths proceeds through the New York court system, authorities continue investigating the identity and whereabouts of the second driver involved in the fatal incident. The driver of the black sedan has not been identified or apprehended.