Driver avoids disabled car on Sacramento highway, hits and kills child in center median
SACRAMENTO — An 8-year-old boy died and his 9-year-old sister was badly injured after being hit by a vehicle on a Sacramento highway over the weekend. The children's mother, who was with them when they were hit, spoke to CBS13 Tuesday night.
It happened shortly after 4:30 p.m. along westbound Highway 50 near 65th Street.
The mother, Yari Quirarte, said she was traveling with her children to a Super Bowl party in Sacramento from Rancho Cordova when her vehicle's tire blew out.
She said they all got out of the vehicle and went to the center median to call for help. She got no answer from family so she called the police.
Quirarte said it all happened so fast. She looked up and that's when she saw a vehicle coming toward their kids.
The California Highway Patrol South Sacramento said the mother's disabled vehicle was blocking the fast lane. Another driver attempted to slow the vehicle down and turned left to avoid hitting it.
Upon turning left, the driver entered the center median, hitting both of the children.
The boy died at the scene and the girl was hospitalized with two broken legs, the mother said.
Quirarte identified her children as Alex and Jasmine Cooper. She said Jasmine was doing better after surgery Monday night.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs for Alex and recovery costs for Jasmine.
