Jaidyn was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the incident which occurred just before 11pm on the West Circular Road, Bangor, on July 8.
A 30-year-old man has now been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and other offences.
He is due to appear at Newtownards Magistrates Court on July 29.
A PSNI spokesperson confirmed: “The charges are in relation to the fatal road traffic collision which occurred at the West Circular Road area of Bangor on Tuesday 8th July. 16 year old Jaidyn Rice from the Bangor area, who was a pedestrian, sadly died at the scene following a collision involving a car at around 10.55pm.”
Co Down was plunged into mourning following Ms Rice’s death, with hundreds of people attending her funeral at at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Bangor last Tuesday.
The sermon saw a host of relatives, friends and volunteer groups recount personal stories and pay tributes.
Jaidyn Rice
The funeral of Jaidyn Rice takes places in Bangor
Elaine Clark, Jaidyn’s mum, told the mourners of the “precious memories” she made with her daughter.
She said: “I miss your hugs and kisses and you telling me that you love me. I miss every single little thing about you, Jaidyn. I could stand here forever and list a billion things that I miss and it still wouldn’t cover everything.”
Jaidyn’s brother Kenley (12) also spoke of the deep bond they shared and the support his sister gave him.
“Jaidyn was like glitter,” he said.
“She always shined hope and happiness into everybody who met her. And no matter what happened, she’d always be there.
“I remember all the time at my cheer competitions, just before awards, everyone goes up and dances and she was always up on the floor, dancing it out to the max with me. I will miss that — and the time she stood up for me and held me when I cried.”
The loss was also felt by the volunteer groups Jaidyn devoted much of her time to.
Louise Little, from the DICE project, described how they had “big plans” for her in the charity, as “when others turned away, she stepped forward” and “listened when others didn’t or couldn’t”.
Reverend Ian McKee, who conducted the funeral, said Jaidyn was “loved deeply and adored absolutely”.
“Her untimely death has devastated the family circle and shocked the whole community right to the core,” he said.