San Diego

The father of a 7-year-old boy killed by a driver suspected of being drunk while the boy was riding a skateboard received a $500 check Thursday from concerned San Diego police officers, police spokesman Bill Robinson said.

Geraldo Perez, who was hospitalized with chest pains after learning of his son’s death, received the gift from a countywide association of San Diego motorcycle officers, Robinson said. A local mortuary has offered free services for the dead boy, Efren Perez, and several churches have also offered assistance.

Efren Perez was killed Tuesday night when he was struck by a car in the 800 block of Florence Street in Southeast San Diego, Robinson said. His 12-year-old brother suffered a broken leg in the accident and is recovering at Children’s Hospital.

Geraldo Perez had started a new job picking oranges in North County the day his son was killed, Robinson said. His wife is two months’ pregnant, and Christmas is Geraldo’s birthday. The family has no phone and does not speak English.

Geraldo Perez is being held under observation and is in good condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.