Dinuba boy killed in hit-and-run remembered

DINUBA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Neighbors gathered in Dinuba Monday night to remember a 9-year-old boy who was killed in a hit-and-run crash a day earlier.

Crying little leaguers hugged Elijah Villareal's inconsolable mother and handed her a signed baseball filled with heartfelt messages.

"I wish they didn't have to go through what they're going through," said Nickolas Friedenberg.

His teammates and coaches say everyone wanted to be around Elijah, known as Eli, because he was a happy and loving kid.

"On the field he was always saying, 'Good job guys; everyone did a great job on that play,'" said Friedenberg.

"He tried his heart out at everything that he did, and he was always a lot of fun," said coach Michael Friedenberg. "He always had a smile on his face when he played baseball."

Dinuba police say the child was playing basketball with his friends on a neighborhood street when he was hit. Neighbors tell Action News the driver dragged his body several hundred feet. During the vigil, mourners walked that stretch and stopped where he died.

"They were coming down the street right here like almost 60 miles an hour. They were driving fast," said Angel Deltoro, Jr., a friend. "I tried to tell them to stop, but they came around that way and came around this way and they were driving around fast."

Police arrested two 17-year-olds from Orange Cove who drove away but later turned themselves in. Eli's mother, Chenda Chavarria, tells Action News she'll forever miss her little boy.

In a statement she said, "I would want everyone to know that he had a huge heart. He loved Christ. He lived his life for Jesus. He was my first love and my best friend."

Eli's friends say they'll also miss the young boy who brought everyone so much joy.

"I feel really sorry, and God just needed another angel," said Andrew Brown.

Eli was a fourth grader at Immanuel Elementary School, and counselors have been on hand to help students cope with this tough time.

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Immanuel Schools is accepting donations on behalf of Elijah's family. All funds received will go only and directly to the family for funeral and other unexpected expenses.

Checks are to be written to "IMMANUEL SCHOOLS" (note on the check "Elijah Villarreal Memorial Fund").

Immanuel Schools

1128 S. Reed Avenue

Reedley, CA 93654

(559) 638-2529

ext 103 or ext 156