Hollister
– Chance Damron, a 12-year-old, leaves his house every morning
just before 6am to meet Dennis Simunovich’s son, Dennis Jr., for
milk and donuts at Spudnut and Deli before class at Rancho San
Justo Elementary School.
Hollister – Chance Damron, a 12-year-old, leaves his house every morning just before 6am to meet Dennis Simunovich’s son, Dennis Jr., for milk and donuts at Spudnut and Deli before class at Rancho San Justo Elementary School.
But Wednesday morning, while crossing Airline Highway at Sunset Drive on his way to Simunovich’s house, a driver trying to beat a red light clipped the back wheel of Damron’s bike, Simunovich said. The vehicle was northbound on Airline Highway and Damron was westbound on Sunset Drive, said Officer Rosie Betanio, a spokeswoman for the Hollister Police Department
The collision sent Damron to the ground, leaving his bike seatless and his body with a bruised leg and scraped elbow, Simunovich said. Several cars stopped to help Damron. The vehicle that hit Damron did not.
Damron did not get a good look at the vehicle, said Simunovich, but said it was an SUV, medium in color. The Hollister Police Department has no information about the vehicle, Betanio said.
“I’m just hoping those people who stopped to help him know something,” Simunovich said.
Most witnesses of a hit-and-run accident call 9-1-1 to report the vehicle immediately, especially when it involves a child, Betanio said.
“If they have already done it, they call while it’s occurring,” Betanio said.
Damron continued to the Simunovich home where they called the Hollister Police Department, Simunovich said.
“It just makes my stomach sick,” Simunovich said. “Whether it’s my kid, your kid, whoever. They hit someone and don’t stop. I just can’t fathom it.”
Betanio said parents concerned about their child’s safety traveling to and from school via bicycle should make sure the child is wearing the proper safety gear and remains aware of their surroundings.
“Make sure that even though the light is green to cross, to look and make sure they are not crossing when a vehicle is coming in their direction,” Betanio said.
Simunovich said there is a $500 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest of the hit-and-run driver.
Police encourage anyone with information to call 831-636-4331.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected].
