Boy Fatally Struck By Car In Ben Lomond ID'd

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has identified a 7-year-old boy who was hit and killed by a vehicle while riding his scooter in Ben Lomond on Monday as Samuel Gomez of Colombia.

A 44-year-old Ben Lomond man was driving a white 2018 Toyota 4Runner when he hit Gomez in the driveway of a home on Newell Creek Road north of Rancho Rio Avenue. The driver said he didn't see the boy before the collision happened, and California Highway Patrol officials do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Staci Molitor, the cousin of Gomez's parents, set up a GoFundMe donation page on Tuesday, saying the boy was the only child of a couple who recently came to the U.S. to begin a life together with family members.

Gomez had just started second grade at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School and dreamed of playing football when he grew up, according to Molitor's post at https://www.gofundme.com/samuel-gomes-espinosa. Riding the scooter was one of his favorite activities, as well as dancing and playing with his cousins.

"Samuel always had a sweet smile on his face," Molitor wrote in the post. "May God forever hold you in his arms sweet angel. You are deeply loved and will live in our hearts forever."

The donation page has raised more than $18,800 of its $100,000 goal as of this afternoon, and Molitor said all funds will go toward funeral arrangements and supporting Gomez's family.

By Bay City News

Photo via GoFundMe

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