He Was ‘Everyone’s Friend’

Dozens of Brent Adams’ schoolmates said farewell to him Monday with songs, tears and white balloons.

“ ‘Bye, Brent!” the elementary school children shouted to the sky as the helium balloons rose and drifted away from Fullerton’s Eastside Christian Church.

The 8-year-old boy died April 13 after being struck by a car at a Brea intersection as he walked home from Laurel Elementary School with his twin brother, Nick. The driver faces a charge of vehicular manslaughter after allegedly running a red light at Poplar Avenue and Birch Street while driving 50 mph in a 35-mph zone.

Brent was “one of those boys who was everyone’s friend,” the Rev. Graydon Jessup told the crowd of about 250 children and adults at Monday’s service. “Brent was known for sharing, for being concerned for others and for being a friend. Even though we have his body with us today, his spirit has returned to God.”

The boy’s mother, Toni Adams, emotionally thanked neighbors for their support.

“It’s been overwhelming,” she said. “If it weren’t for the community, I’d never have made it. In some ways, Brent is still here in all of you. He was a great little kid who tried to help people, but he got it all back when he went, and I just want to thank you all.”

Some children sobbed as the school choir sang, ending with the Laurel Elementary School song.

“Second-graders are very strong,” said Judy Coulson, Brent’s teacher, after the children released the balloons in the church parking lot. “They love Brent, and they know he’s no longer with us. But they also know that he’s right here in our hearts. They miss Brent, but they also miss Nick, and they know that he’s coming back.”

Stacy Webb, a neighbor whose 7-year-old daughter, Karlie, knew Brent well, said the accident had caused a great deal of sadness in her family. “It sure makes you stop and count your blessings,” she said.

The tragedy had also brought the community together in unforeseen ways, Webb said. “We’ve talked about it a lot,” she said, “and I don’t think anybody will ever go through a yellow light again without thinking about this. One minute won’t make that much difference to your boss, but it sure could make a big difference to somebody’s family.”

Police said Margarita Gonzalez Monares, 59, the driver of the car that struck Brent, was on her way to work when she sped up to get through the intersection while the light was still yellow, causing a collision.

A spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office said that Monares has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, meaning that if she is convicted she faces up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Arraignment is set for Monday at North Justice Center in Fullerton.

“It was just an accident,” district attorney’s spokeswoman Tori Richards said. “We believe this was a case of inattention.”