Whittier Juvenile Killed in Traffic Collision

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

Date: Sunday, August 19, 2007
Contact: Jason Zuhlke, Press Information Officer
Location: 9042 Painter Avenue at Oval Drive

Whittier, CA – The Whittier Police Department is investigating a fatal traffic collision that occurred in the vicinity of 9042 Painter Avenue. At 12:30pm, on the above date, Whittier PD’s dispatch center began receiving multiple 911 calls of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on Painter Avenue just north of Oval Drive. Arriving soon thereafter, Whittier Police Officer’s, along with paramedics from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, observed a small boy, 12 years of age, laying in the roadway.

Prior to this tragic accident, the victim had been walking northbound on Painter Avenue, along the East side of the road. It is unknown what the victim’s destination was, but for no apparent reason, the juvenile “ran” into the roadway in a westbound direction. Darting across the number two lane, he quickly entered the number one lane into the path of a Ford SUV traveling north. While the driver of the vehicle slammed on the brakes and swerved the SUV, he inevitably struck the victim. The investigators at the scene ruled out any impairment on behalf of the driver.

Arriving on scene, police and fire personnel began administering first aid to the victim who was immediately transported to Whittier Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital. Tragically, at 1:05pm, the victim was pronounced dead. With a deep sense of bereavement, the Whittier Police Department would like to encourage all parents to speak to their children about the importance of pedestrian safety. Furthermore, resources are available free of charge in the Whittier Police Department lobby.

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