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San Jose mourns death of child fatally struck on scooter
The community is mourning the death of an 11-year-old boy who was struck and killed while riding his scooter in San Jose on Tuesday.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - An 11-year-old boy was killed while riding his scooter in San Jose late Tuesday afternoon, police said.
The boy's identity has not been released. The incident was the city's 30th fatal traffic death of the year, and 11th fatal pedestrian collision of the year. San Jose police officials said pedestrian deaths are down by about one-third from last year.
The crash occurred about 4:21 p.m. at Leigh and Camden avenues, in the Cambrian Park section of the city. The driver of a 2006 Chevy pickup truck was traveling westbound on Camden Avenue on a green light when the boy, who was on his non-electric scooter in a marked crosswalk and near the median moving north against the light, was hit, San Jose police said.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
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The driver of the pickup truck stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
Neighbor Melanie Rodrigues said her son told her about the crash, so she went outside.
"I saw the little boy lying in the street," Rodrigues said.
She said the victim's older brother was with him at the time of the crash.
"We couldn't find him. He must have been traumatized," she said. "It was just sad. Really sad, for him, for his family. For his brother especially too."
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Rodrigues said she plans to create a memorial for the boy.
"We're gonna get his scooter and paint it white and chain it to the light there for him," she said.
Officials with Vision Zero said they are working in three areas to try and increase pedestrian safety. The nonprofit looks to build better infrastructure with increased lighting, signage, and barriers.
"This is tragic. As a parent, when you send your children out, you want to believe that they're gonna come back safe," said Pam Foley, chairwoman of Vision Zero.
The Cambrian School District sent a letter to parents on Wednesday notifying them that the 11-year-old victim was one of its students.
"In response to this tragic event, we have activated our crisis response plan to support our students, staff, families and community members who are connected with the family," the district said.
Mayor Matt Mahan also mourned the boy's death, saying, "My heart aches for the family of the [11]-year-old boy who tragically lost his life in this senseless collision. Every pedestrian death is devastating — but the death of a child is unspeakable. My thoughts are with his loved ones as they navigate life after this horrible loss."
Jesse Gary is a reporter based in the station's South Bay bureau. Follow him on Instagram, @jessegontv and on Facebook, @JesseKTVU.
Editor's note: SJPD have issued a news release indicating the boy's age was 11 not 12. This article has been revised to reflect the victim's correct age.