Motorist Sought In Death Of 14-Year-Old Skateboarder

Authorities sought public help Monday to find the hit-and-run motorist responsible for the death of a 14-year-old Industry boy who was fatally injured while skateboarding in Montebello.

[vanessa]

He was a very nice person,he came to my school last year rest in peace Justin

[Lisann Martinez]

Mr. and Mrs Carrasco & Senator Calderon, I'm so sorry for your loss my 10-year old son Justin Martinez was also the victim of a hit and run driver on 6-13-2004, in Santa Ana California. I know that nothing I can say that will relieve your pain and suffering. I wish I could hug you real tight and say I understand what you are going through, because I have lived through it first hand. That we have to continue to prevent this from happening to other families. Once again I'm so sorry for your loss. I also have a 15 year old skater and a 10 year old skater at home.

[cheryl]

I'm sorry for your loss and loss of any other victims of hit and runs. But what I can't understand in this case, what is a 14-year old doing skateboarding at 12:45 a.m. Where are the parents' supervision? This death could have been prevented.

[Gil]

So sorry about the loss but....as a parent, wouldn't you asked yourself, where is my son at 12:45am? Shouldn't he be home, in bed? Should this be considered child neglect?
We, as parents, are responsible for our child's safety & well being. Allowing our children to run as they wish where-ever & when-ever is a sign parental irresponsability. All of this could of been avoided.
I understand that situations can be difficult at times in parenting teens but boundries must be set early in childhood so as to when teenhood is reached these boundries have been already accepted.
Again, I feel for the parents, the pain of the loss of one's child must be unimaginable. Let this be a wakeup call.
If we are parents, lets act like parents & keep our children safe.

[Debbie]

When I heard this story on the news last night, my first thought was, 14 yrs old and out at 12:45 a.m. on a skateboard? was he alone? from the news accounts he was riding down the middle to the road, why, was this CHILD out at this time of night? Gil, Pasadena is correct, where is the parent supervision. Raising teenagers is a big task, however, we must act like parents and set limits. This in no way excuses the person who ran over this CHILD and left him there ALONE to die. If in indeed this was a terrible accident this "heartless" person should have stopped and rendered aid.

[Barbara]

How can anyone hit another human being and leave? We are not animals, you left a child to die and other children (his friends) to deal with the horrible tragedy you caused. I'm not saying you are entirely to blame; it was a bad choice that this boy made but you can't just drive away and leave him there without offering some sort of aid. As for the Montebello Police Dept. Damn you! Damn you! How many times do we have to call in that these kids are skateboarding down the hillsides at night? Montebello Boulevard, Howard Street. It's tragic that someone had to die and still I wonder will that make you patrol the area more; stop speeders, put up speed bumps, anything to get the drivers in the area to slow down.

[Barbara]

BTW, I live in the area where this boy died. My house backs up to Howard Street. I often honk at these kids as they skateboard down the hillsides at night and I often call the Montebello Police Dept. re this on-going problem. They never come. Also, when I hear the cars speeding in on Howard or racing down Montebello Boulevard, I have never seen someone being cited for speeding on either street.

[priss]

Where were this boy's parents?? 14 year old out at night thats an outrage

[Pat]

As a parent a mother of a 14 year old myself whose son knew the victim, this is truly a tragedy. Parenting is tough. Tough Love folks. Kids know how to get around supervision issuse so lets please not bash the parents at this time. I know how I got around supervision as a teen!

To the Family, my deepest, deepest sympathy for your loss.

For those of us in the community:

PLEASE, PLEASE continue to SPEAK up! Call the department, call the supervisor, hell call the Chief!

Kids will be kids, it does take a village to raise a child!

Lets not lose another one like this. Next time it could be my son or yours.

[StrawberrySmiles]

How about the Uncle State Senator who has some juice, do something. How about more lighting and/or speed bumps??? I'm sure if a State Senator speaks he'll get farther than we will.