LOCAL : Death of Lancaster Boy in Dirt Clod Fight Under Investigation
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide detectives are investigating the death of a Lancaster boy who was struck in the head with a dirt clod while playing with a group of youths.
Toby Egstrom, 13, died from head injuries Wednesday at Antelope Valley Hospital after being struck Sunday afternoon while with a group of youths gathered on a vacant lot at East 15th Street and Avenue K in Lancaster, sheriff’s deputies said. When the boy returned home, his mother saw that he had been injured and took him to the hospital.
“The kids, about eight of them, went to the location expressly for the purpose of engaging in a dirt clod fight--child’s play.” said Sgt. Ron Shreves of the Lancaster sheriff’s substation. “Toby happened to be struck in the head.”
No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman said.
“Any time there is a death due to unusual circumstances there is more than likely an investigation to determine whether it was an accident,” Deputy Detta Roberts said.
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