NICE ? A 12-year-old boy died Friday night at Oakland Children”s Hospital, where he was taken with life-threatening injuries after he was hit by a van while riding his bicycle Wednesday night in Nice, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The boy, a Nice resident, was taken off of life support at approximately 7 p.m. in the hospital”s intensive care unit, according to CHP officer Adam Garcia.
An examination to confirm the type of injuries that caused the boy”s death has not been performed because jurisdiction is still being determined, according to a statement from the Alameda County Coroner”s Bureau.
“Out of respect for his family and (because) he is a juvenile, his name is not being released at this time,” Garcia said.
Nice resident Charles Becker, 82, was driving his 1994 Ford Econovan east on Manzanita Avenue east of Highway 20, according to a CHP press release. The boy was riding without a helmet, proper lighting or functional brakes at approximately 7:55 p.m. when the van hit him, according to the release.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the bicyclist rode into the van”s path, according to Garcia. The boy was flown to Oakland Children”s Hospital by REACH air ambulance. Officer Randy Forslund is investigating the incident. Anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to call the Clear Lake Area CHP office at 279-0103.
Garcia said anyone younger than 18 is required to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, skateboard or scooter. After dark, bicyclists are required to have a white front headlamp that is visible from 300 feet away, a red rear reflector that is visible 500 feet away and white or yellow reflectors visible to the front and rear on each pedal.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636 ext. 37.
Editor”s note: Saturday”s news story on this event was based on a preliminary report issued by the CHP as well as current statements with an official source at the time. Unofficial reports of the boy”s death were still unconfirmed late Friday as the Record-Bee was going to press.
