14 year old Cathya Torres was on her way to school this morning when police say she stepped out into traffic.
Greg Garner, Fresno Police Department: "Apparently there were a couple of busses stopped at the bus stop in front at Manchester Center. The young girl went between the busses, entered the roadway and was struck."
Cathya died at the scene. Her black tennis shoes and backpack flew off during impact.
Family members describe the 8th grader as a straight A student who hoped to make her family proud by becoming a teacher.
Aida Arellano, Victim's Grandmother: "Whenever she used to go lower than an a i mean she would cry, cry because she have to have perfect grade."
Police say it appears Cathya crossed the street, like so many others without using a crosswalk.
We watched dozens of people dart across the street to and from the bus depot. Investigators believe the pickup driver was not at fault.
"The driver of the vehicle that struck the girl was very cooperative. He was distraught but very cooperative at the time, it didn't appear that it was drug or alcohol related."
This is one of the last pictures taken of Cathya a few weeks ago at her birthday party. Her aunt says what stood out about her niece was the way she always extended a hand to others.
Lorraine Gonzalez, Victim's Aunt: "Always helping her friends or her brothers and sisters or her mom and dad. She was all about her family and it's just sad that she got taken away like this."
At Fort Middle School counselors spent the day on campus to help students deal with the loss. Classmates also took home a letter explaining the tragic accident to parents.
Cathya was one of 8 children. Her family has set up an account to help pay for funeral services.
Family members say they still cannot believe this is happening to them. The grandmother told me when she came out here to the scene earlier Monday she just kept asking herself "why my granddaughter."
Memorial Fund for Cathya Torres
Citibank
Acct. # 40044551972
