Simi Valley 1st-Grader Dies After Car Is Struck by Truck

A 6-year-old boy died Wednesday morning when a car driven by his mother was broadsided by a pickup truck, authorities said.

Tyler Smith of Simi Valley, a first-grader at Santa Susana Elementary School, died at Simi Valley Hospital shortly after being taken there from the crash site at Cochran Street and Erringer Road, authorities said.

“It is a tragic situation that is certainly compounded by the proximity of the holidays,” Simi Valley Police Lt. Jon Ainsworth said.

The boy’s mother, Diana Silva, 39, suffered a punctured lung, broken clavicle and cuts on her ear. She was in good condition Wednesday night, a hospital nursing supervisor said.

Silva was making a left turn from eastbound Cochran onto Erringer Road about 7 a.m. when she pulled into the path of the truck, which was headed west on Erringer, Ainsworth said.

“It appears at this point she may have misinterpreted what he was going to do. She thought he was going to make a right turn when in fact he proceeded straight,” he said.

Truck driver Glenn Grigsby, 52, of Simi Valley was not injured. Grigsby was traveling about 45 mph, the posted speed limit, authorities said.

Silva was driving to a trophy store to pick up awards before dropping off her son at school. Tyler’s classmates were told of the crash by their teacher Wednesday afternoon.

Silva, who is divorced from Tyler’s father, has two older children, a 16-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter.

Funeral arrangements were pending.

No citations were issued, but the crash was under investigation.