Salinas neighborhood stunned after crash killing 4-year-old boy

UPDATE 5/10/17 4:39p.m. A devastating time for a Salinas family, as police continue to investigate a crash Tuesday night that killed a 4-year-old boy.

Christopher Zamudio said he nearly saw the whole thing happen as the boy was run over by a driver inside the Rancho Salinas mobile home park off Sherwood Dr.

“It’s something I wish I didn’t see, but I did,” said Zamudio. “I can’t get the picture out of my head, you know, I just keep picture the little boy, the noise, all the screaming.”

According to Salinas Police, the 45-year-old woman behind the wheel first avoided the boy’s older brother, but did not see the 4-year-old as he rode a scooter into the street. Zamudio added the woman was not driving fast. And according to police, she was very cooperative and no alcohol or drugs seemed to be a factor.

“Kids can escape really quickly, you know I’ve had a 4-year-old boy myself and they can get away quickly so you really have to keep a close eye on them,” said Sergeant Gerry Ross with Salinas Police.

Salinas Police also said that officers are always trying to find ways to make streets safer. Just the other day, Ross added that the city, county, traffic engineers and school met to find ways to improve pedestrian safety.

“We have a trailer park that already has speed bumps, people are supposed to drive slowly, and apparently this lady was,” said Ross. “And we still had this horrible tragedy.”

And residents in this neighborhood said they’re always trying to be aware of kids out in the streets.

“There’s nothing worse than losing a child,” said Zamudio. “My heart goes out to them and also the lady that this happened to, although it wasn’t her fault, this is life changing and she’s going to have to live with this for the rest of her life.”

UPDATE 5/9/17 10:25 PM: A four-year-old boy died from his injuries after being hit by a car in Salinas.

According to police, the boy was riding his scooter with his six-year-old sibling in the driveway of a mobile home park on Sherwood Drive when he was hit. His older sibling was riding in front and the driver of a 2014 Dodge Charger slowed quickly to avoid hitting the sibling, but the driver did not see the four-year-old ride in front of her as she began to accelerate.

The child was taken to a nearby trauma center, but efforts to save him for unsuccessful.

The driver stayed at the scene. She did have a license, insurance and did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. She voluntarily agreed to provide a blood sample, but police said it does not appear the driver committed any criminal violations.

The case is still under investigation.

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A child is in a trauma center after being hit by a car in Salinas.

According to police, it happened around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday on Sherwood Drive.

Police don’t have any information on the child’s condition.

This story will be updated.