Mother of Boy Hit by Car Calls for Safer Streets

The mother of a 10-year-old boy who was hit by a car after he stepped from behind an ice cream truck called on Anaheim officials Sunday to address safety lapses she said contributed to the accident, which also took the life of a 7-year-old girl.

Penny Mitchell, whose son Timothy suffered a broken arm in the Saturday afternoon accident, said she wants the city to make safer the blind horseshoe turn from West Date Street to East Date Street.

Mitchell also said she wants the city to better regulate ice cream truck drivers and perhaps require them to undergo safety training to learn to pull over in safe places and indicate to other drivers that children are nearby.

Investigators say Mara Sanchez, 7, was killed after she and Timothy stepped from behind an ice cream truck parked in front of Mara’s house and were struck by a pickup coming around the corner. Mara’s family had had a garage sale that day, and Timothy and Mara, who lived across the street from each other, were playing out front, witnesses said.

Police do not believe that alcohol or excessive speed were factors in the accident. The driver, an 18-year-old resident of Norco, was released after being questioned by police.

“My son is having a really hard time with this,” Mitchell said. She said Timothy was holding Mara’s hand when the truck struck them.

“He was trying to reach for her,” Mitchell said. “He was holding her hand, and then when the car hit her, he said, ‘My hand came loose.’ ”

Police said Sunday that they have been unable to find a business license for the company name that witnesses said was printed on the ice cream truck. The truck driver fled the scene before police could talk to him.

“I think there are a lot of things, in light of this, that need to be addressed,” Mitchell said. “Kids this age should never have to deal with this kind of grief. Hopefully, we can make something positive come out of this, in the safety of our street.”

Kevin Cain, a neighbor who came running when he heard the children’s screams after the accident, said he believes signs should be installed on the curve to warn drivers to slow down.

Mitchell said she plans to take her concerns to her neighborhood group, and then the group may petition the City Council.

Councilwoman Shirley McCracken said she would be happy to consider the proposals.

“Safety of our children is always one of our concerns,” she said. McCracken added that she had not known of residents’ fears about traffic.

On Sunday, residents of the tiny cul-de-sac drove slowly around the corner. Down the block, tiny memorials of candles and flowers were placed on each side of the street where the accident occurred.