FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- It was a devastating day for many students at Clovis East after one of their classmates was killed in a car crash on his way to school Friday morning.
The crash happened as the 14-year-old was on his way to the Reagan Educational Center at about 7:40 a.m. The coroner's office says the freshman likely died instantly when the car he was riding in was struck.
The crash happened not far from Clovis East High School on Leonard and Shields avenues in Fresno County. Investigators say 22-year-old Richard Moua was driving his little brother to school, when he pulled into the path of another car.
The crushed door of the late 1990s white Toyota Corolla shows the impact to the passenger's side, right where 14-year-old Bill Moua was sitting. California Highway Patrol officers say it appears the driver, who was heading northbound stopped at the stop sign, before pulling out into the path of a Ford Edge.
"It was actually a two-way stop. Traffic northbound and southbound on Leonard have a stop sign, and traffic on eastbound and westbound Shields don't have a stop sign," said CHP Officer Axel Reyes.
Investigators say conditions were clear and cool at the time of the fatal crash. They took statements from the Corolla driver to find out more about the circumstances of the collision. It's unclear if Richard Moua did not see the oncoming car, misjudged its distance or thought the intersection was a four-way stop.
Sirens about the time the bell rang at Clovis East worried many teachers and students, who later learned Bill Moua was killed. He was an honors student who was well liked and also played basketball.
"I can share with you the feedback that we've gotten from his teachers who are obviously very, very distraught about what's happened. He was an outstanding young man, great Timberwolf, great student, a lot of school pride, just a lot of potential, and one of those kids that everybody loved," said Clovis Unified School District spokeswoman Kelly Avants.
District administrators said a statement was read to students in class Friday about the death of their classmate, and parents will receive an automated call in the evening.
CHP officers say it appears the driver who broadsided the Corolla was traveling the speed limit at the time of the crash. Witnesses were also interviewed about what they saw before and during the collision.
Moua's family did show up at the crash scene and was very distraught.
Richard Moua received moderate injuries. Investigators say because he was at fault, they are recommending charges of manslaughter. But, it will be up to the district attorney to determine if that is filed.