Jute
10-22-2008, 01:10 AM
Family mourns tot killed in hit-and-run on Tucson's South Side
By Alexis Huicochea
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.21.2008
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Little Billy Montoya Jr. was a happy, energetic 2-year-old who loved Elmo, riding his tricycle, dancing and jumping around.
The boy was killed Monday night when he ran out into the street in front of his home. Tucson Police are continuing their search for the driver of the pickup truck who fled the scene.
Billy adored his grandmother, Barbara Cota, and when he saw her arrive home from work Monday night he could hardly contain himself.
As he did every day, Billy was playing outside in the yard of his home on South Park Avenue near East Irvington Road Monday around 8 p.m. when his grandmother was dropped off across the street by a friend from work.
Billy — affectionately nicknamed Peanut — was always on the look out for his grandmother and knew that she would come from across the street.
“He turned around and he saw me and I yelled, ‘Peanut’ and he said ‘Nana!’ and he started running,” Cota said Tuesday morning.
Billy knew to stay in the yard, but for some reason on Monday night, he bolted out into the street to greet her and was struck by a truck that was southbound on Park.
He barely made it two steps into the street before he was hit by what police believe was a 2007 or 2008 Chevrolet Silverado with a chrome roll bar. The truck is likely, maroon, dark red or black and is the LS or LT model, according to Sgt. Mark Robinson, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.
His mother — Marcella Ybarra — had gone inside of the home to grab a glass of water at the time, Cota said. But Billy was being watched by his 14-year-old uncle Christopher Chavez who tried to run after the toddler but was unable to reach him in time.
Both Christopher and Cota watched as the truck carried Billy for a short distance before he was thrown from the vehicle, Cota said. He was lifeless when they got to him and it was clear that nothing could be done, she said.
A number of other motorists stopped but the driver of the truck did not, Cota said.
“Christopher was yelling ‘I couldn’t get him, I couldn’t get him. The truck got him before I did,’ ” Cota said. “That’s when I went crazy. The way that truck picked him up ...”
There is no indication that the Silverado was speeding at the time of the collision, Robinson said.
A witness placed a jacket over Billy before his body was taken away, Cota said.
Cota said she hasn’t been able to sleep as every time she closes her eyes she sees her grandchild getting struck by the truck.
“I don’t know why I yelled out to him,” a regretful Cota said tearfully. “I feel like it’s just a dream and I just want to wake up and he’ll be here playing. All I want is for him to forgive me for calling his name.”
Cota has no doubt that the motorist was aware that he or she had struck the child, she said.
“He left my baby there like a piece of trash,” Cota said. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I had done the same thing. How can you just go home and turn on the TV? It’s just awful.”
Billy’s mother added: “I hope they catch the person who did this to my son.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line of the Pima County Attorney’s Office.
http://www.azstarnet.com/ss/2008/10/21/263413-1.jpg
2-year-old Billy Montoya Jr. Photo courtesy Billy Montoya family
The family of Billy Montoya Jr. has opened an account for anyone who would like to make a donation towards the toddler’s funeral expenses.
Contributions can be made at any Wells Fargo bank under the Billy Montoya Fund, account No. 2017295060
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/263413.php
By Alexis Huicochea
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.21.2008
advertisement
Little Billy Montoya Jr. was a happy, energetic 2-year-old who loved Elmo, riding his tricycle, dancing and jumping around.
The boy was killed Monday night when he ran out into the street in front of his home. Tucson Police are continuing their search for the driver of the pickup truck who fled the scene.
Billy adored his grandmother, Barbara Cota, and when he saw her arrive home from work Monday night he could hardly contain himself.
As he did every day, Billy was playing outside in the yard of his home on South Park Avenue near East Irvington Road Monday around 8 p.m. when his grandmother was dropped off across the street by a friend from work.
Billy — affectionately nicknamed Peanut — was always on the look out for his grandmother and knew that she would come from across the street.
“He turned around and he saw me and I yelled, ‘Peanut’ and he said ‘Nana!’ and he started running,” Cota said Tuesday morning.
Billy knew to stay in the yard, but for some reason on Monday night, he bolted out into the street to greet her and was struck by a truck that was southbound on Park.
He barely made it two steps into the street before he was hit by what police believe was a 2007 or 2008 Chevrolet Silverado with a chrome roll bar. The truck is likely, maroon, dark red or black and is the LS or LT model, according to Sgt. Mark Robinson, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.
His mother — Marcella Ybarra — had gone inside of the home to grab a glass of water at the time, Cota said. But Billy was being watched by his 14-year-old uncle Christopher Chavez who tried to run after the toddler but was unable to reach him in time.
Both Christopher and Cota watched as the truck carried Billy for a short distance before he was thrown from the vehicle, Cota said. He was lifeless when they got to him and it was clear that nothing could be done, she said.
A number of other motorists stopped but the driver of the truck did not, Cota said.
“Christopher was yelling ‘I couldn’t get him, I couldn’t get him. The truck got him before I did,’ ” Cota said. “That’s when I went crazy. The way that truck picked him up ...”
There is no indication that the Silverado was speeding at the time of the collision, Robinson said.
A witness placed a jacket over Billy before his body was taken away, Cota said.
Cota said she hasn’t been able to sleep as every time she closes her eyes she sees her grandchild getting struck by the truck.
“I don’t know why I yelled out to him,” a regretful Cota said tearfully. “I feel like it’s just a dream and I just want to wake up and he’ll be here playing. All I want is for him to forgive me for calling his name.”
Cota has no doubt that the motorist was aware that he or she had struck the child, she said.
“He left my baby there like a piece of trash,” Cota said. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I had done the same thing. How can you just go home and turn on the TV? It’s just awful.”
Billy’s mother added: “I hope they catch the person who did this to my son.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line of the Pima County Attorney’s Office.
http://www.azstarnet.com/ss/2008/10/21/263413-1.jpg
2-year-old Billy Montoya Jr. Photo courtesy Billy Montoya family
The family of Billy Montoya Jr. has opened an account for anyone who would like to make a donation towards the toddler’s funeral expenses.
Contributions can be made at any Wells Fargo bank under the Billy Montoya Fund, account No. 2017295060
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/263413.php