Editorials

Little girl dies after she and six others hit by a driver

The Associated Press
Thursday January 17, 2002

OAKLAND — A 5-year-old girl died Wednesday after she and four other children, along with two mothers, were struck by a speeding hit-and-run driver in a crosswalk on their way to school. 

The little girl died after being removed from life support, said nursing supervisor Valerie Tucker from Children’s Hospital in Oakland. 

The hit-and-run happened Tuesday morning when a green 1967 Ford Mustang sped through an Oakland intersection, mowing down the seven as they crossed the street, said Oakland Sgt. Arturo Bautista. 

Police found the car parked around a nearby corner but they did not immediately locate the driver. A $15,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. 

Three other children, ages 11, 10 and 7, remain hospitalized in fair and stable condition with broken bones and other injuries.  

A 1-year-old girl has been released, Tucker said. 

The mother of three of the children was in stable condition Wednesday at Highland Hospital where she’s being treated for a broken ankle and knee. The mother of the other two was struck but not injured.