Bicyclist Hurt in Collision With Car Dies

Emmanuel Jimenez, the 12-year-old boy who was hit on his bicycle Monday as he reveled in the first day of spring break, died Tuesday morning at Childrens Hospital after spending the night on life-support.

Police said the Mulholland Middle School special education student was not wearing a helmet when he was hit near his house in the 14700 block of West Friar Street by a Nissan Sentra driven by a pizza deliveryman.

The driver, Otto Castillo, 29, of North Hollywood, was interviewed by investigators, but no charges have been filed against him, said Det. Jim Mann of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division. “It was a tragic accident,” Mann said.

“Emmanuel was in critical condition in the intensive-care unit,” said Steve Rutledge, a hospital spokesman. “They did what they could for him, but he couldn’t pull through.”

Family members gathered Tuesday on the front step of Jimenez’s gray, single-family house, but declined to speak with reporters.

On Monday, Emmanuel climbed on his bike and began to pedal across the quiet, residential street about 3:30 p.m., witnesses said.

In the middle of the street, he collided with the Sentra, flew into the air and landed hard on the roadway. He was breathing, but unconscious, with massive head injuries.

Emmanuel was taken by ambulance to Van Nuys High School and airlifted by a Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter to Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles, authorities said

The accident serves as stark reminder to children to wear helmets and other safety equipment when riding bicycles, Mann said. Drivers also should watch for children while driving in residential areas, particularly during school vacations, he said.

At Childrens Hospital, members of the emergency room staff see an increase in the number of child accident victims whenever school is closed, Rutledge said.

“That time could be evenings, weekends, spring break or vacations,” he said. “The numbers go up, especially as the weather gets warmer.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Emmanuel was remembered by friends and relatives as an outgoing, well-liked youngster.

“He was a really nice person. He liked to play and ride bikes,” said neighbor Ivan Angeles, 21, who saw the accident.

“I saw him when he was laying in the street,” said Manuel Sanchez, 13, who added that he will now start wearing a bicycle helmet.

At Mulholland Middle School, Emmanuel was in a program for students with orthopedic handicaps. School officials said the specific disability was confidential.

“Emmanuel was a student here for two years and he was very well-liked,” Principal Alfredo Tarin said. “He was involved in school programs and the [mainstream] students knew him well.”

To help students cope with the death of their schoolmate, Tarin said he intends to have crisis counselors on campus when students return to school from vacation Monday. He also plans to call teachers to personally tell them about the loss.

“It happened so suddenly,” Tarin said. “It is going to be hard on the students.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Bicycle Safety

The possibility of a fatal or serious faccident is a stark reminder for children to wear helmets and other safety equipment when riding bicycles, authorities advise. Drivers also should watch for children while driving in residental areas, particularly during school vacations and warmer weather.

*

Play it Safe

* Be predictable. Ride in a straight line and use hand signals.

* Always ride with traffic.

* Obey traffic signs and signals.

* In slow traffic, ride in middle of traffic lane.

* Keep eyes on the road, scanning for obstacles, people and hazards.

* Don’t weave between parked cars.

* Remember cars are allowed to enter bike lanes to make right turns, but no more than 200 feet before turn.

*

Clothing: Bright colors and reflective tape help make cyclist more visible to drivers.

Helmet.

Headlight: Halogen is excellent; rechargeable is a good idea.

Taillight: Flashing type makes cyclist more visible.

Rear-view mirror: Attach to handlebars. Smaller models attach to glasses or helmet.

Bell.

Gloves: Padded palms help reduce road shock.

Reflectors: Should be on spokes, pedals and front and back of bike.