Boy riding scooter in crosswalk on 10th Street hit by truck
making left-hand turn
n By Rachelle Gines Staff Writer
Gilroy – A 5-year-old Gilroy boy was hit by a truck and killed while crossing 10th Street Tuesday afternoon, despite the efforts of two bystanders to save his life.
Brayan Trejo was riding his scooter in the crosswalk alongside his 13-year-old brother Jesus when a woman in a silver Dodge Ram pickup hit him, according to Gilroy Police Department Detective Frank Bozzo. Fire officials said his brother was not hurt.
Despite attempts to resuscitate the young boy, Cpl. Veronica Georges said he was pronounced dead at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in the late afternoon.
Bozzo said the truck was southbound on Church Street when the driver made a left turn to go eastbound on 10th, hitting the child. He said the woman was cooperating, but would not release her name.
Brayan Trejo was not wearing a helmet. Bozzo said it appeared the children were alone.
“I know that the children seemed young, and I know that another set of eyes would have helped, but there isn’t much you can do if a big car is coming your way,” Bozzo said.
Rico Loza of Gilroy and Erick Westphal of Morgan Hill said they administered CPR to the boy before the paramedics arrived. They were eating at Joe’s Italian Restaurant nearby.
“We were talking and heard a loud thud. Then we heard a little boy scream for help,” said Loza, his hands stained with blood. “When we got to the sidewalk, we saw the older boy holding the younger one.”
Westphal, his hands also stained with blood, said he held the little boy while Loza performed CPR.
“You just do what you do,” Westphal said of his actions with Loza. “I just feel bad for both the family and the woman driving.”
Based on testimony given by several witnesses, Bozzo said the children acted safely.
“The children were crossing the road in a proper manner. In this particular accident, a large number of witnesses came forward and told the same thing: The children waited for a green light to cross,” Bozzo said. He also added the boy was scooting at the same speed that his older brother was walking.
A 7-Eleven anchors a small strip mall that includes some shops and restaurants on 10th Street. There are clusters of houses on the across the street from the store, as well as a large apartment complex next to it.
Although Mary Green, who lives in the nearby Pacific Mobile Home Estates didn’t see the accident, she said she makes it a point to slow down on 10th Street because she always sees a lot of children playing by there.
“Lots of kids are always running around and playing tag, and they go to the 7-Eleven without their parents. What are children doing alone walking around here?” Green said.
A helicopter landed at the intersection of 10th and Eigleberry streets, but the young child was taken to Saint Louise Regional Hospital by ambulance instead due to his unstable condition, Georges said. She added that medical officials from the helicopter accompanied the child in the ambulance.
Police said that although an investigation is still pending, it does not appear that drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident. Bozzo said matters involving deaths are usually forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office.
“This is one of those unfortunate things that just happen,” Bozzo said.
Rachelle Gines is an intern who attends San Francisco State University. Reach her at 847-7158 or at rg****@************ch.com.
