10-year-old boy dies after being struck by truck while riding bicycle in Atwater

ATWATER, Calif. (KFSN) -- A North Valley neighborhood is mourning the loss of a 10-year-old boy who was struck and killed by a truck while riding his bicycle Thursday evening in Atwater.

Atwater Police said the crash happened at the intersection of Bridgewater Street and Oriole Way.

Neighbors who witnessed the crash tried to help the boy before first responders arrived. Jeremy Cico, who lives in the area, said he had just returned home moments before the collision.

"My prayers go out to the family and I hope they can make it through this difficult time," said Cico.

Cico described the moments leading up to the crash.

"It was just a flash second. I'd seen the kid come by and then I saw the truck and then they intersected together. I heard the loud crash and I immediately called 911," he said.

Atwater police said officers arrived to find the boy severely injured. Both Cico and first responders attempted to help him at the scene before he was taken to the hospital.

Lt. William Nelvetske of the Atwater Police Department said the loss has deeply affects the community.

"Any loss of life is a tragedy but having the loss of such a young life for our community, for our schools ... it hits home, as a parent myself," Nelvetske said.

On Friday morning, pieces of yellow police tape from the previous evening remained in the neighborhood as investigators continued working to piece together the circumstances of the crash.

"They look at whether there was video. They look at different things in the roadway, things that were collected last night," Nelvetske said.

Action News has learned the boy was a student at Juniper Elementary School, located several blocks from where the crash occurred.

Action News reached out to the Atwater Elementary School District, which sent the following statement:

"We are a family-oriented school district. This loss is felt deeply by our entire community. We are providing counseling and support services to our students, staff, and families, as we grieve together. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We asked for the respect of their privacy, as they navigate this unimaginable loss."

Neighbors said the tragedy is difficult to process.

"Because I can't imagine what it's like to lose a child," Cico said.

Police said the woman driving the truck remained at the scene and is cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues.

For news updates, follow Ana Torrea on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.