Child killed in traffic collision-South Gate, CA
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el_spaniard at 12.3.08 - 7:39 pm
KTLA News
December 3, 2008
SOUTH GATE -- An 18-year-old driver has been arrested in connection with a van crash that killed a 14-year-old boy near South Gate Middle School.
Eduardo Rojo of South Gate was arrested on a felony charge Tuesday after police determined that he may have been using an inhalant when he lost control of his van a day earlier.
Rojo had claimed his brakes failed around 3:30 p.m. Monday and he tried to turn into a McDonald's parking lot but missed, crashing head-on into 5 students at a nearby bus stop.
The van also hit a utility pole.
Police initially said Rojo was cooperative and that there were no immediate signs of alcohol or drug intoxication. However, police later said that Rojo and his passenger had visited a local Target store moments before the crash to purchase inhalants with the intent to get high.
Rojo is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Police continued to search for his passenger, who jumped out of the van and fled on foot.
The crash claimed the life of 14-year-old Luis Salazar, who friends say was on the phone with his mother at the time of the crash, asking for permission to get something to eat at McDonald's.
His mother suddenly heard screeching and screaming over the phone, and the call ended, according to his oldest brother, Jose Salazar.
She called back immediately and a girl answered.
The girl told Luis' mother that he had been in an accident.
Jose Salazar also called his brother and received the same grim news.
"I couldn't believe it," he said.
Four other teenagers were injured in the crash, but officials said their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Three have since been released from the hospital.
On Tuesday night, friends, family and school officials packed the South Gate Church of Christ for a vigil honoring Salazar.
Also on that day, about 50 students from South Gate Middle School visited the crash site and wrote messages on fliers that bore the image of Salazar with a soccer ball. The students taped the fliers to to a bus sign at Firestone Boulevard and Otis Street.
They also placed candles and flowers by the bus shelter where the boy was struck.
Jose Salazar posted a message at the site saying he had promised in life that he would protect his younger brother and protect anyone from hurting him.
Because Salazar's father recently lost his job, the family is unable to pay for the boy's burial.
The South Gate Police Officers Association has created a fund to provide assistance.
Donations can be sent to:
The South Gate Police Officers Association Luis Salazar Memorial Fund
South Gate Police Department
8620 California Ave.
South Gate, CA 90280
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If anyone would like to make donations for the childs funeral, there will be Donation Boxes at the following locations:
South Gate PD Main Station on California just North of Firestone Blvd
&
El Paseo Towne Center SGPD Substation on Garfield and Firestone (East of Edwards Theatre/West of Parking Structure).
Check can be made payable to:
The South Gate Police Officers Association Luis Salazar Memorial Fund
el_spaniard12.3.08 - 10:23 pm
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