Closed Gate Leads to Youth’s Death

Authorities were investigating why a rear gate of a trailer park was locked, forcing a 16-year-old resident to walk along an expressway, where he was struck and killed by a car.

Raul Rivera was killed Monday when he pushed his 15-year-old sister, Elia, out of the path of the car. The two had to walk to school along the freeway because the back gate at the mobile home park was locked.

City Atty. Joan Gallo said the gate is now open but her office is investigating the incident. Gallo’s office said the owners of the Whispering Hills Mobile Home Park were required to keep open sidewalks to the outside when the park was built about 14 years ago. The requirement said the gates should remain open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, she said.