2-year-old child dies after being hit by car in Stanislaus County
CROWS LANDING — A two-year-old boy has died after being hit by a car in the Crows Landing area of Stanislaus County Tuesday night, authorities said.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office said it received a call just after 8:20 p.m. regarding a collision involving a pedestrian and a possible shooting along Highway 33.
That pedestrian was later confirmed to be the young boy, who authorities said was taken to the hospital in critical condition where he later died, the California Highway Patrol said. The boy's mother identified him as Benjamin Zepeda.
She said in a statement to CBS Sacramento:
"Benjamin Zepeda, born August 14, 2022. A loving boy, my only child, firstborn. Very funny, with a bubbly personality. He enjoyed watching Spider-Man, pounding juice boxes, and sneaking apple sauce pouches in his room."
Investigators said Zepeda was standing on the west side of Highway 33 with his father, Elvis Zepeda, near a food truck. The boy then ran into the highway, where he was struck by a 19-year-old driving a BMW, the CHP said.
The driver of the BMW pulled over, but shortly after the collision, Elvis Zepeda pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots at the vehicle, authorities said, striking the rear of it.
The shooting prompted the teen to leave the scene but he was later contacted by CHP. Officers said he is cooperating with the investigation and was not wounded by gunfire.
Elvis Zepeda was arrested on Thursday and was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center. The CHP said he faces charges of attempted murder, possession of an illegal firearm, and possession of a controlled substance.
Crows Landing is located about 20 miles southwest of Modesto.
Editor's note: Authorities originally believed the child was 3 years old. The story has been updated with the boy's correct age.