Vehicle hits girls, killing 1, near Downey High School in Modesto

A girl is dead, and another is hospitalized with serious injuries after a vehicle struck them Friday night as they were walking to a football game at Downey High School, Modesto police said.

Officers were called out just before 8:50 p.m. to a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash in the 1100 block of Coffee Road. Police said preliminary investigation indicates the girls were walking in a crosswalk in the roadway when they were struck by the vehicle, which was driving south on Coffee Road.

Officers stationed at the football game arrived first and began CPR. Both girls were taken to nearby hospitals, where one of them died from her injuries, police confirmed.    

"I just seen the two girls laying on the pavement over there. And I think one was unresponsive. The other one, she came to after a few minutes of CPR. And it's just a tragedy, man. I mean, they're young. It just sucks. but I'm praying for them and their families," said Michael Gutierrez, a Modesto resident who witnessed the aftermath of the crash.   

People who live in the area say that this section of Coffee Road is not very well lit, and that the crosswalk the teens were struck in does not have reflectors.

"People always walk in here late at night. You would think you'd be safe walking down the street. But then, a tragedy like this happened. You don't know when, where you're safe. You know, it's dark," said Mario Gutierrez, a Modesto resident.

The driver of the vehicle is cooperating with police and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Investigators are still working to determine what led up to the crash.