Modesto boy, 10, critical after being hit by SUV on College Avenue

MODESTO -- A 10-year-old Modesto boy is in critical condition after he was struck by an SUV on Tuesday afternoon on College Avenue.

The accident just south of Granger Avenue occurred at 3:13 p.m., according to Sgt. Rick Armendariz of the Modesto Police Department.

Paul Lewis, who was driving a Dodge Durango, said he was heading north on College when the boy ran out from between two vehicles.

Lewis, who was in the right lane, said he struck the child, whose body went beneath the sport utility vehicle. Lewis stopped, ran back to child and checked his pulse.

Emergency workers quickly arrived, and the child was taken by ambulance to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. He was scheduled to be flown to Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland, Armendariz said.

Armendariz said the boy, a fourth-grader at Beard Elementary School, suffered serious injuries, including head trauma.

"I just hope he's OK," said Lewis, in tears. "I'm sorry it ever happened. I wished it had never happened. My prayers are with him."

Lewis had just picked up his 13-year-old daughter at nearby Roosevelt Junior High School, he said. Also in his vehicle were another daughter, 14, and a son, 8.

School officials said Roosevelt students, who live in the neighborhood and were walking home, saw the boy get hit. Counselors will be on both campuses today to provide assistance to students and staff.

On April 28, Na'Keisha White, 12, was hit by a pickup as she rode her bike north on Carver Road across Briggsmore Avenue.

Her father, Stephen White, said Tuesday that she remains in critical condition at the Oakland hospital.

Police Sgt. Brian Findlen said last week that a preliminary investigation said Na'Keisha ran the red light. However, a final determination of fault won't be known until the conclusion of the investigation, Findlen said.

Bee staff writer Erin Tracy can be reached at etracy@modbee.com or (209) 578-2366.