Jamal Ayesh was the 6-year-old boy killed crossing the street at Herndon and Milburn late Wednesday night. Fresno police say Ayesh and a friend snuck away from their parents at a nearby Mosque and were on their way to 7-11. They did not have the right of way and a driver couldn’t see them in the dark. Apparently the friend ran out into the cross walk and Ayesh followed after him.
“It's our understanding that the other child had made his way to the median but the 6-year-old had not and he was struck by the vehicle,” said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
Superintendent Michael Berg confirmed that Ayesh was a student at River Bluff Elementary. Ayesh’s first day of school would have been Wednesday, August 15th.
“The family has requested their privacy be respected and that's what we're doing,” said Berg.
This is the second fatal accident in just over two weeks involving a member of the Central Unified family. Unlike the crash where Central High School basketball coach Loren LeBeau is suspected of drinking and driving, this one appears to simply be a horrible, avoidable accident.
The driver of the vehicle likely won’t face any charges because he was not at fault. He stayed at the scene and cooperated with police, even allowing his blood to be drawn.
