Tragedy on the Sidelines: 12-Year-Old Struck and Killed in Shocking Incident
The South Los Angeles community is reeling from the heart-wrenching death of 12-year-old Derrick Serrano, who was struck and killed while walking home from school on April 18th.
A Child’s Life Cut Short
It was a fateful afternoon when Derrick stepped onto the busy intersection of Vernon and Wadsworth Avenues. Suddenly, tragedy struck as a speeding vehicle collided with the young boy, leaving him critically injured. Despite desperate efforts to save him, Derrick succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a shattered family and a neighborhood in mourning.
A Mother’s Grief, a Community’s Outrage
As Claudia Gramajo, Derrick’s mother, struggles to grapple with her unbearable loss, she believes that preventable measures could have saved her son’s life. “The intersection was a known hazard,” she tearfully stated. “More lights, crosswalks, or even a crossing guard—anything could have made a difference.”
A Neighborhood’s Call for Change
Derrick’s death has become a symbol of the urgent need for pedestrian safety improvements in the South Park neighborhood. Advocate Arturo Mazariegos, from the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, strongly echoes this sentiment. “This incident underscores the lack of infrastructure that puts our children at risk,” he says. “We cannot afford to lose more young lives to preventable tragedies.”
A Grieving Family, a Community United
As the Serrano family navigates the immeasurable pain of losing their beloved son, the community has rallied together to offer support. A GoFundMe page has been set up to alleviate the financial burden of funeral expenses, allowing the family to focus on their healing process.
A Legacy of Love and Resilience
Derrick Serrano, you left an unfillable void, but your spirit will forever inspire our community to fight for pedestrian safety. May your memory ignite lasting change and ensure that no family should endure the pain that yours has faced. We honor the life you lived, the dreams you held, and the legacy of love you have left behind.
Data sourced from: ktla.com
