Schools Are Rethinking Traffic Safety

Parents clutched their children’s hands a little tighter Wednesday, many streaming by Centralia Elementary School to light candles and say tearful goodbyes to two little girls who were killed in the school parking lot.

Some said their children were afraid to return to the Anaheim campus Wednesday, but once there, they were greeted with hugs from teachers and a team of 40 crisis counselors.

Anaheim police said they plan an investigation that could take weeks, but released no additional details to explain why a car driven by Maria Juarez, 50, of Anaheim jumped the curb at a pickup and drop-off zone and fatally struck two girls, ages 6 and 7, pinning them against the building.

Juarez, who was picking up her grandchild at the school Tuesday, was questioned after the accident, but police stopped the interview because she was too distraught to continue, Sgt. Rick Martinez said.

Police believe Juarez accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake. Police also are considering mechanical failure and whether Juarez might have been distracted when she hit Bianca Perez, 7, and Nidia “Liz” Curiel, 6.

Juarez has not been arrested. Bianca’s aunt, Martha Herrera, said she was angry at first. “Then I thought about it,” she said. “God knows why this happened. He’s the only one that has a right to judge.”

On Wednesday, some parents walked their kids to school for a little extra peace of mind. Many had to urge their children to go in an effort to maintain their daily routine.

Herrera took her two daughters to school despite their protests. It was important for the girls to talk to grief counselors. They were next to their cousin when she was hit, Herrera said.

They stopped in front of the campus where the Centralia Elementary School sign had been converted into a memorial. It was covered with votive candles, stuffed animals, flowers, balloons and notes to the girls.

“It made me happy in a way,” Herrera said. “I know people are giving comfort to the families. They’re letting us know they’re with us.”

Later, Bianca’s relatives gathered at the Santa Ana home of Cointa Nunez, 74, the girl’s grandmother. “I loved her a lot,” Nunez said as she wept. “She was everything to us.”

Bianca’s aunts recalled the way she would greet them by leaping into their arms with a huge smile, a hug and declarations of love. They remember her dancing and jumping around the house, singing her favorite Britney Spears songs.

At the school, county educators and grief counselors rallied around the neighborhood school. District principals were at the school Wednesday morning, as were the trustees. Police were out in force, directing traffic. A crew from the Anaheim fire station that responded to the call delivered a bouquet of daisies.

The school sent home a letter with each student, urging parents to take advantage of the psychologists on hand and informing them of an account set up to receive donations for the girls’ families through the Centralia PTA/Perez-Curiel Fund, 195 N. Western Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801. Supt. Bobbi Mahler sent letters to parents at the other district campuses with a list of symptoms their children might experience as a result of the tragedy.

“We will provide an open door for as long as it takes to heal our community,” Mahler said.

Cynthia Lynn walked her daughter to school and hugged her youngest, 4-year-old Erin, who saw the accident. “She just keeps crying and crying,” Lynn said. “She’s so sad. I just tell her, ‘They’re with God right now.’”

Bobbie Kramp hopped on her bike to chase after her 12-year-old daughter, Katrina, because she left the house without their daily “finger kiss.”

“I wanted to tell her I love her because you never know,” Kramp said.