A message of gratitude from the family of a little boy who was killed in a suspected drunk driving crash.The boy's father and 18-month old sister are still hospitalized.
The family's spokesman talked with CBS47 news: “The family wanted to express their deepest appreciation and really for all the outpouring of help that's been given to them,” said Fresno attorney Warren Paboojian.
Fresno Police released the toxicology report on the driver involved in the crash. It shows he was legally drunk at the time of the tragedy.
And Monday night near the scene of the crash, mothers and children stood along Shepherd Avenue collecting donations for the family of Donovan Maldonado. Seven-year-old Donovan died in the alleged drunk driving crash.
“We've crossed that crosswalk many times so we feel for them,” said Veronica Valdovinos, who held up a sign urging people not to drink and drive.
Paul Moore and his eight-year-old son rode over on their bikes to make a donation.
“I've made a point of pretty much even avoiding crossing here with him because it's too much traffic and it's too wide,” Moore said of the spot where the bike trail crosses Shepherd Avenue.
Donovan's eighteen-month-old sister Bella is hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury.
Donovan's father Jesse will undergo surgery for broken bones.
Fresno attorney Warren Paboojian is representing the family.
“They're thankful for the community's rallied around them and it's comforted them in their time of need,” Paboojian said.
Paboojian is preparing a civil case against the driver accused of hitting the Maldonados - Loren LeBeau. LeBeau is on leave as basketball coach at Central High School. Fresno police received the toxicology report and said LeBeau's blood alcohol level was .11, over the legal limit of .08.
“What we do know now is that he was driving well under the influence of alcohol,” said Fresno police Captain Andy Hall.
Hall said LeBeau had been boating at Bass Lake the day of the crash. And someone may have been in the car with LeBeau when he hit the family.
“We have received some information that there might have been a passenger in the vehicle and that's under investigation,” Hall said.
LeBeau is out on bail and out of town.
“That was on my advice to get out of town at the moment so he's not continually having people come to his door,” said LeBeau’s attorney Jeff Hammerschmidt.
Loren LeBeau is scheduled to be arraigned August 9th.
A memorial fund has been set up for 7-year-old Donovan Maldonado, who died when he was hit by a car last week.
Donations can be made at any Bank of America branch. No account number is needed, just specify it's for the "Maldonado Memorial Fund".
