Parlier boy hit, killed by truck mourned at vigil
PARLIER, Calif. (KFSN) -- A vigil was held in memory of a 9-year-old Parlier boy hit and killed by a truck, and his parents spoke publicly for the first time since the tragedy.
Diego Estrada was killed on his way to school Thursday, when Parlier police say an unlicensed 17-year-old driver crashed into him.
At least 100 people showed up to Sunday's vigil for Diego. And while the entire community didn't know the boy, they came together as one.
A sorrowful prayer, as mourners stood with a family grieving the loss of their little boy. They stood in the spot where Diego would take his last breaths after a truck smashed into him. Diego's sister -- 16-year-old Zujey Ramirez -- and another friend were also hurt in the crash.
Community members are trying to help the family in any way they can -- from a simple act of passing out pastries and drinks at the crash site, to organizing a bake sale. One family has rallied several area bakeries to donate pastries this Wednesday.
But the family says there's still unfinished business they want resolved. The unlicensed driver -- whose name police won't release because he's a minor -- walked away with a citation for driving without a license.
"There's no murder charges on him. And he's there; he's free. And we're right here suffering," said Jose Ramirez, the victim's brother.
Investigators say foggy weather and bad road conditions played a factor in the crash. But it's possible the driver could be charged with vehicular manslaughter later this week depending on the results of the investigation.
Bake sale
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015
12 p.m.
1107 Tuolumne Street, Parlier, CA 93648
GoFundMe
