Carson's Village
A tragic accident outside a Texas elementary school has left a community grieving after a 9-year-old boy was killed and two other children were seriously injured. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, near Felix Botello Elementary School in Dallas. According to Dallas Police Department Assistant Chief Catrina Shead, a pickup truck struck three children and one adult near the 200 block of South Marsalis Avenue.
All four victims were transported to nearby hospitals by Dallas Fire Rescue. One of the children, identified as 9-year-old Jose Garcia Ledesma, succumbed to his injuries. The two other children were listed in “critical but stable condition,” while the adult was in “stable condition.”
Jose’s mother, Deyaneira Ledesma, told KXAS-TV that she had been walking home with her twins, Jose and Keyla, along with another student when they were hit. Though she checked both directions before crossing, they were not at a designated crosswalk at the time.
Keyla reportedly suffered a broken leg and hip. In a statement translated by KXAS-TV, Deyaneira described her son Jose as her “little angel,” her “greatest love,” and her “everything.”
The family is now raising funds for Jose’s funeral expenses through CarsonsVillage.org. On the memorial page, they wrote, “A student at Felix Botello Elementary, Jose found happiness in the simple things—playing soccer, splashing in water, and dancing.
Known for his vibrant personality, he will be remembered as an energetic dancer who always brought a smile to those around him. Jose’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.” A vigil in Jose’s memory was held the following evening at the school. Community members gathered to honor his life and support the grieving family.
Parent Cynthia Rocha, who attended the vigil, told WFAA-TV that changes are urgently needed in the area to prevent future tragedies. “It’s not so much the kids. It’s the cars,” she said. “They get off the freeway and they go. Or they’re about to get on the freeway and they go fast. We don’t have any speed bumps. We have one crossing guard. But we do need some change.”
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
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