Live Oak Boy Killed In Stolen Car Remembered By Community

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A 12-year-old boy killed in a crash in unincorporated Santa Cruz County early Friday morning has been identified as Oumar Bangoura of Live Oak, according to the sheriff's office. The boy was a passenger in a stolen 2014 Toyota Prius driven by a 15-year-old boy when the car veered off a steep embankment on Soquel San Jose Road near Laurel Glen Road at about 5 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. The car overturned and crashed into a tree, killing Bangoura at the scene. The driver was taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center with moderate injuries.

Friends and family remembered Bangoura on social media as a talented dancer, a sweet child, and the light of their lives. "It is with heavy heart that we are creating a GoFund Me to support our brother Mohamed Bangoura and sister Carol Ann Cloud with their tragic loss of their son Oumar Bangoura," a page on GoFundMe read. "Santa Cruz and the Greater Bay Area has an amazing African drum and dance village. Together as a village we can give powerful love. It is time to help one of our brothers and family. Please, as a community, give what you can and no donation is too small. These funds will be used to help them with all funeral arraignments. Thank you, with peace and love."

The CHP is investigating the reason behind the crash, and who is responsible for stealing the vehicle. They said distracted driving may have been a cause. The driver could face legal consequences because he didn't have a license, but the CHP did not immediately make any arrests.

—Bay City News contributed to this report.