After fatal crash, 7-year-old stayed by his mother's side, CHP says - Los Angeles Times
“It was basically sitting in a grove of trees, covered and not visible from the highway,” he said.
Salas said neither the driver nor the child were wearing seat belts during the crash.
“It remains unclear whether the driver was ejected from the vehicle or exited it after the crash occurred,” he said.
Salas said the boy stayed by his mother’s lifeless body and tried to stay warm for the night.
CHP investigators said that the cause of the crash remains under investigation and that toxicology results will determine whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the fatal crash.
The boy, who suffered moderate to major injuries, was transported to Valley Children’s Hospital, where he was reunited with his father.
Ruben Vives is a general assignment reporter for the Los Angeles Times. A native of Guatemala, he got his start in journalism by writing for The Times’ Homicide Report in 2007. He helped uncover the financial corruption in the city of Bell that led to criminal charges against eight city officials. The 2010 investigative series won the Pulitzer Prize for public service and other prestigious awards.
