The county coroner’s office released the identity of the 12-year-old boy killed Monday when a county transit bus struck his bicycle at a Hollister intersection.
The victim was Joshua Rodriguez, 12, of Hollister, confirmed Capt. Eric Taylor from the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office, which is the county coroner.
Hollister police earlier reported that a juvenile struck by a bus at about 4 p.m. Monday had been pronounced dead.
Responders had to perform CPR on the child struck by the bus along Memorial Drive at Verdun Avenue near the Sunnyslope Road intersection—also close to Veterans Memorial Park and the Skate Park within it.
Dozens of residents looked on as responders performed CPR at the intersection while a small bike lay nearby in the road and the bus remained parked along Memorial Drive. Authorities eventually moved the victim to an ambulance and transported him to Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital.
The bus was one of the County Express vehicles run by the local transit agency.
Police Chief David Westrick said in an email it was too early to comment on the victim’s helmet status at the time of the accident.
The following is the full statement from Westrick before the release of the boy’s identity:
On July 27, 2015 at about 4:05 PM, Hollister Police Officers, Hollister Fire Department and AMR responded to a collision involving a juvenile bicyclist and a bus at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Verdun Avenue.
The victim was immediately administered CPR and transported by ambulance to Hazel Hawkins Hospital. Despite prolonged life-saving efforts the victim was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The other involved party, including bus and driver was located and contacted at the scene of the incident.
“The Hollister Police Department would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and friends for this tragedy.” – Chief Westrick
The investigation is in its preliminary stages. Anyone with information from this case is asked to call Detective Chris Wells at 636-4330. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at 800-78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
This is a developing story. Look back for more.
