Salem driver pleads guilty in hit-and-run that killed 2-year-old

jeannie925 said on November 25, 2009 at 7:31 AM

"the girl was hit while running through the parking lot." Outrageous!

mustang_1 said on November 25, 2009 at 7:50 AM

Outrageous is right!! Who in their right mind lets a 2 year old running in a parking lot no matter where they are.

smart1 said on November 25, 2009 at 7:55 AM

What was a 2 year old doing running across a parking lot? Shame on the parent! And let's see how this story pans out. Funny how KGW doesn't describe the driver of the truck. KPTV did, guess what LATINO. Another case that supports the need to crack down on the illegals that have flooded our state. Any bets I'm right, again.

surah said on November 25, 2009 at 8:01 AM

Oh come on, people. Little kids are going to run free - just because they were running around doesn't make the parent any less of a person. It was an accident. It shouldn't shame the fact that this IDIOT hit a little kid and sped off! I guarantee none of you even have children - so you wouldn't understand.

god_is_a_lib said on November 25, 2009 at 8:07 AM

Hmmmm. Salem... F-150.. no doubt another methed-up BUBBA - driving on a suspended license, too, I betcha. But that's Salem, Orygone, for ya... we need to send all Bubba's to Idaho! Let's start the crackdown!

jiminpdx said on November 25, 2009 at 8:13 AM

What is wrong with you people? Kids run!

corporatemom said on November 25, 2009 at 8:27 AM

This is so sad - it breaks my heart. Kids do run - I have 2 that are very fast. Since the guy fled the scene and other sources describe him as latino - my guess is that he is illegal or on drugs. (Side note - didn't a guy driving a white pick up truck kill a little 2 yr old in Woodburn earlier this year & it fled the scene as well?)

wtfhead said on November 25, 2009 at 8:32 AM

the kid was hit while running thru a parking lot?? that is not proper parental supervision for a 2 year old, i don't care if your pink, blue or green. nuff said!

roadready48 said on November 25, 2009 at 8:40 AM

Both parties are at fault here. Yes kids run around all the time but it is wrong to allow a 2 year old to run around at 6:00 at night when it is dark or very near dark outside especially in a parking lot. If the mother was up gabbing with someone she obviously was not paying attention or near her child enough to keep her safe. I have seen a lot of Latino women who do not pay attention until a situation comes up where their child could be injured and then they scream in Spanish at them to stop or come to them. It's disgusting actually and I would be willing to bet it is a similar situation here. It is horrible to lose a child but I have a hard time consoling her when it was preventable. Right now the driver is being stated as a hit and run but there is a possibility he didn't know he even hit her. Pretty far fetched but a possibility, but I would go more with no license or insurance and he is at fault regardless.

screenname said on November 25, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Anyone consider the fact that the driver was unaware they hit anyone? A two year old is small and difficult to see between cars etc plus, this happened at night. The vehicle was a full sized truck, pretty heavy. For those of you jumping on this story as an opportunity to show your racist colors.....shame on you. Accidents know no gender, age nor color.

lsc13 said on November 25, 2009 at 9:06 AM

Being a mother of a very active child, yes children run. But I know that and don't give my child the chance to do that in any parking lot at any time regardless of what I am doing. She's no longer a toddler but even now I hold her hand and make her get into the car and buckle up long before I unload anything or talk to someone. I'm sorry this child died, but it sounds as if it was totally and completely preventable. All the more tragic.

smart1 said on November 25, 2009 at 9:28 AM

Roadready48, you are so right on about the lack of responsibility the Latino mothers have for their pack of kids. KGW doesn't mention that this mother needed a translater to express what type of a kid she was, so sad and this was preventable 100%. I drive through the Gresham and Rockwood (little Mex) areas all the time and #1 can't believe the number of kids in tow and #2 just go about like they own the streets, not looking or using crosswalks. And the dirty looks you get if you honk your horn to warn them of the dangers they are causing these kids. Again, shame on the mother and hope we get the driver and see what his story is all about. Probably won't hear anything about it from KGW other than if they caught him or not.

god_hates_cons said on November 25, 2009 at 9:29 AM

Those F-150's sit pretty high up. Considering that, plus the fact it was dark already.. plue the fact that who expects a kid running around in a parking lot.. there's a reasonable chance the driver never knew what happenned. But,being Mexican, he will be tried, convited, and sentenced... lynched, if it were legal in Salem (maybe it still is down there?)

backtobasics said on November 25, 2009 at 9:43 AM

I agree with "Smart1" ... why was a 2 yr old allowed to run, walk, play or whatever unsupervised in a parking lot. And yes "surah" I DO have a child. Being a parent means being responsible at all times especially around cars. I don't know the details here, but I have driven by many of these complexes whereby kids are running every which way having a good ole time and no adults around to supervise. It amazes me how many of these latino women have two or three in tow, one in a stroller and one in the belly ... how can they keep track of them all. This is certainly a tragedy and we can only hope parents keep a closer grip on their child to prevent another similar situation and that the person responsible is found and prosecuted.

prhea1st said on November 25, 2009 at 9:45 AM

There is no such thing as an accident...It is all preventable...

kamerasnapper10 said on November 25, 2009 at 9:55 AM

It's so sad to see another little one die at such a young age, I'm still remembering the children in the Willamette River, and the children killed by their parent out in Hillsboro, so I say this to everyone concerned, please take care of your children to the max...these are dangerous times for everyone, and we all need to care for each other. I imagine the girl's sister feels terrible, so I pray she will not feel responsible, as it is the parent's fault. Children do run around, I know as I had 3 beautiful grandkids that are runners and explorers, and because of that, I no longer have them. Peace and may God show some mercy on all in this situation.

robert57 said on November 25, 2009 at 10:15 AM

Accidents don't just happen and that is a proven fact. And this here did not have to happen.

robert57 said on November 25, 2009 at 10:19 AM

Accidents don't just happen and that a proven fact. All this did not have to happen.

nwskeptic said on November 25, 2009 at 10:42 AM

Kids run - of course they do! There is a time and place for it though. A parking lot is not a place to let a kid run. You hold their hand or carry them, they don't run. While this is a terrible tragedy, it was preventable. The hit and run driver is scum for driving away, but it is crazy how many times I see kids running in the street or parking lots. With the way people drive, that's asking for something like this.

legalbeagle said on November 25, 2009 at 11:07 AM

Okay. The real deal is that a 2 year old should never be outside without parental supervision. A parking lot is not a playground. At that time of day it is getting dark. Mom was INSIDE an apartment with no way to see the child. I feel for the parents but they need to understand that this was as much their fault as anyones. Not the running away but the child being hit. I live close to the apartments and know what that lot looks like. Very large space and vehicles regularly drive out the driveways without even looking for traffic on Sunnyview. The police spend a lot of time there responding to domestic issues and drug issues. It looks like a very nice, clean apt complex but looks are, in this case, deceiving. Parents in Salem seem to believe they do not need to supervise their kids. They let them run wild and free everywhere. Parking lots, and especially inside stores. Maybe they just figure they can make more.

katuismobetta said on November 25, 2009 at 11:17 AM

The mom should be going to jail too. Hopefully she doesn't have any other unsupervised children.

smart1 said on November 25, 2009 at 11:29 AM

Juan, your in deep do do. Probably not though. You'll have a nice warm place to sleep and food to eat, on my dime chump. Of course Veganpeace will feel sorry for you. So any bets yet? No license, no insurance, probably expired tags, maybe stolen vehicle, on drugs, drunk or both. No business being here and illegal. Again, this should never had happen.

smart1 said on November 25, 2009 at 11:38 AM

Oh I forgot to one mention one thing, this was all Bush's fault, that is what the P/R/G movement would say. And you know what, they are right in this case. He (Bush) should have closed the borders long ago, this might not have happened.

rocky63215 said on November 25, 2009 at 11:42 AM

I'm sorry but if you're in a truck and you hit a two year old, the truck isn't going to feel it! He probably didn't even realize he had hit anything. I have a question now why isn't the mother in jail for neglect? There is absolutely no way in the world a two year old should be allowed to run through a parking lot of an apartment complex. There's really only one person at fault for this and it's the little girls mother. I have no sympathy for her!

ilovepdx said on November 25, 2009 at 11:50 AM

Roadready 48 says: "I have seen a lot of Latino women who do not pay attention until a situation comes up where their child could be injured and then they scream in Spanish at them to stop or come to them. It's disgusting actually and I would be willing to bet it is a similar situation here." You are a racist. Mothers of all colors can be irresponsible. People of all races run over kids. People who don't look after their kids or who flee crime scenes are not automically "illegal aliens." And just what language did you expect a Latina mother to scream at her kids in--she SPEAKS Spanish. Millions of German, Polish, Italian (need I go on?) immigrants throughout our nation's great and polyglottal history have yelled at their kids in the language of their homeland. Deal with it.

rocky63215 said on November 25, 2009 at 12:01 PM

The Salem police department has a lot of explaining to do on why the mom of the child is not in jail for neglect! Her child's death is on her and no one else!

rocky63215 said on November 25, 2009 at 12:18 PM

I urge you to contact the Salem Police department and either demand or ask why the mother is free yet she was the one who neglected her daughter and caused her death.

backtobasics said on November 25, 2009 at 12:34 PM

Well "Smart1" looks like you had it nailed. Like most illegals .. Juan fled (it's a common practice in Mexico). I know, I know, don't jump to conclusions - . You know what ... I am so sick of giving the benefit of the doubt to these people who come to our country and feel they don't need to follow our rules and there are always those sympethatic folks out there who defend their rights. WHAT RIGHTS? They are illegals who beat to their own drum. Where is this all going to end? We give them a tiny slap on the hands and three warm meals in jail at most. He should be deported and the Mexican government can deal with their own people. As far as momma goes apparently she was inside the aptm feeding her infant entrusting her other young kids to watch the child. NOT a responsible thing to do, but common practice with the hispanics.

jiminpdx said on November 25, 2009 at 12:44 PM

Rocky, What kind of rock are you smokin'? You either don't have kids or are in complete denial that you have your kid on a leash 24/7. When my kids were little one would run in one direction and one in another direction and man, they were quick. I thank God that I didn't have to raise my kids in an apartment complex.

jiminpdx said on November 25, 2009 at 12:55 PM

And yes Smart one, it is Bush's fault. Illegals are here because his corporate masters want the cheap labor. I also blame Clinton and 90% of the traitors in congress who voted for NAFTA. Quit blaming the illegals you idiots. Big corporate money is the villain here. If Canadian companies came up here and took our jobs we'd be going to Canada looking for work

jiminpdx said on November 25, 2009 at 1:08 PM

OK Back to Basics, your turn, What do you mean "what rights"? You cons are always trying to defend the Constitution(except the 4th Amendment) yet you really know nothing about it. The Constitution applies to everyone, not just US citizens. I'm sorry but that's the way it is. If you don't like the Constitution go ahead and bash it, it's your right.

shallowend said on November 25, 2009 at 1:32 PM

Backtobasics: I see nothing saying he's illegal (he may well be, but that needs to be proven in a court of law). Nothing says he fled. He may well have not known this happened. He's still responsible, but again, a court needs to make that determination. And Jimi is correct: there is nothing in the US Constitution or any of its amendments that mentions US Citizens. The rights enumerated are for everyone, including illegals. And letting other kids watch their younger siblings is a common practice of white people, too. Jimi: examples you have failed to state include the H1B visa program where big tech companies advertise openings in the SF Bay area in Tech hotbeds like Cheyenne, WY, Rapid City, SD, and Kalispell, MT and finding no qualified applicants (never mind the enemployed engineers and developers in the area), ask to import individuals from India at 1//3 to 1/2 of a US salary (and no benefits). Illegals form a substantial downward force on wages.

backtobasics said on November 25, 2009 at 1:44 PM

ok Jim and Shallow ... your "lets not jump to conclusions" and our expert in the Constitution ... The illegal alien problem is the fault of the US government. It created the problem by refusing to fund adequate border security. It has IGNORED the Constitution and has not followed existing law. What does the Constitution have to say about illegal immigration? Article IV Section 4 of the Constitution reads, "The United States shall guarantee to every state in the Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against INVASION; … Perhaps you don't understand the word "invasion" the Constitution uses. Perhaps you don't understand what it means to enforce border law? Perhaps your response is to be the famous line from Ebenezer Scrooge, "Bah, Humbug!" Now who's violating the Constitution and existing American laws? We are a nation of laws. Wise laws make for an orderly society. If you don't think we're being invaded than what would you call it?

jersue96 said on November 25, 2009 at 2:28 PM

As the parent of 4, 2 of whom I raised in a very active and busy apartment complex in Pennsylvania. I had my hands full but I also parented up and was responsible. Never did my 2 children EVER leave our apartment without one on one hand and the other by my other hand. I am now remarried and since have 2 more as my older ones are in there 20's. I don't want to hear the POOR POOR MOM DEFENCE. The driver was wrong to drive off as much as she was for leaving a child run free in a parking lot when it is dark, nor any time. This is one of those accidents where it could have been 100 percent prevented if mom would have been paying attention. CPS, go and investigate, I am sure you will find a problem, there is usually one. When more parents are held accountable for and others who are foolish see this, then hopefully this nonsense will stop. OUTRAGEOUS IS A UNDERSTATEMENT!

gardenqueenbee said on November 25, 2009 at 4:06 PM

So I wonder, when will parents start parenting? I must have missed something along the way because I thought a parent is responsible for training/upbringing of "their" children. What happened to this little girl is very sad. Living here in Salem I see this all the time, many children of all races, playing/goofing around or walking down the streets after dusk. Oh, and if you honk at them to warn that you are near them be prepared for a barage of vulgar expletives to come your way. I guess I also missed something about sidewalks .. what are they for now that it is okay for children to play in the streets and parking lots? I guess we could blame everyone in the world for the problems we face, but remember that when you point 1 finger at someone else you have 3 more fingers pointing back at you the parent. and this is my 2 cents.

kkatrina said on November 25, 2009 at 4:12 PM

I just have two "reality check" questions for the crowd and KGW ... 1) Is this a news website, or a gossip rag? I think when there is a death of a child we should all keep our freakishly racist comments to ourselves. What happened to the concept of giving the dead a moment of respectful silence! 2) Why are there NO no reader comments related to the death of the 13 year old Dayton girl? Not that there should be, but I suppose the surname in the story didn't inspire a racist flood.

jiminpdx said on November 25, 2009 at 4:55 PM

Sorry back to basics, I disagrees on your invasion definition. Invasion usually has to do with trying to take over a territory. Anyway, I do agree, we have problem, I do think that the criminals, drug smugglers and gang-bangers should be sent back but I also think law abiding, productive citizens should be given the opportunity towards citizenship, we're all illegal aliens ourselves. Shallow, I agree about the H1B visas but thought the problem was much much smaller. I thought only a very limited amount of those were granted each year. You are correct Katrina, they love going after those with darker skinned people. I guess it's politically incorrect for conservatives to go after Jewish people anymore. Jersue, I find it hard to believe that you had both kids' hands, every second of their lives, while they were outside.

fittergal290 said on November 25, 2009 at 5:31 PM

Truly sad. Many of the people who come from south of the border (regardless of legal/illegal...a different discussion) come from rural areas, and the kids run free in the "streets" (much like we older folks used to do here) with little fear of bad things happening to them, not nearly as many cars. Their minds aren't "wired" to the realities of life here in our cities. At the complex where I live, we have a play area with swings, etc., and I often see small children accompanied by an older sibling travelling between the play area and their apt. The speed limit in the parking lot is 5mph. but is sometimes disregarded. My hope is that the latino community will take this unfortunate experience as a teachable moment, and afford to parents the information on just how dangerous life here can be. My heart goes out to that mother.

spewie said on November 26, 2009 at 7:16 AM

You'll have to go to another website if you want a complete story. Yes, the driver was illegal (OOOOPS, undocumented) and their is an ICE hold for this gentleman... Si Se Puede!

spewie said on November 26, 2009 at 7:17 AM

THERE not thier. No Se Puede!

smart1 said on December 18, 2009 at 7:51 AM

Well well well, looks like some more tax payer dollars going to illegals. So where are all you bleeding hearts now? Still feel sorry for poor Juan the baby killer? He should have never been here. Next question is, when are they going to ship him back?

shallowend said on December 18, 2009 at 9:06 AM

smart, he'll get shipped back as soon as he serves his time. WHen are you going to support real efforts to end the immigration problem by targeting the employers who are responsible for the migration. Fine every employer who hires an illegal $100,000 per illegal per day, and the migration will end in a matter of months.

smarter1 said on December 18, 2009 at 9:38 AM

God I'm an ignorant redneck. Pray for me.

stephmarie2 said on December 18, 2009 at 10:22 AM

Sadly, I use to live in those apartments and I know first hand that people drive crazy through there and the parents knew that. The minute I found out I was going to have a little one, I left in a hurry. It is a really bad neighborhood and the little girl should have been watched (not just because it is a parking lot)

workinmom said on December 18, 2009 at 11:09 AM

There's so much wrong with this story. The illegal driver shouldn't have even been there, and he should have stopped when the accident did happen and the TWO YEAR OLD SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN PLAYING IN A PARKING LOT UNSUPERVISED AT 11;30 AT NIGHT. it's a tragedy all the way around, but it was totally preventable. sad, sad story. Unfortunately the 2 year paid with her life for the mistakes of the stupid adults around her.

topazgirl said on December 18, 2009 at 11:27 AM

There were HUGE mistakes made all the way around...that's why this is called an "accident"! I can't understand why a 2yr old was not more closely supervised, but I DO know toddlers are quick, and will dart away fast! I understand the fear of the driver...he stated he was "illegal", and the crowd was getting aggressive, so he feared for his safety!...What I DO NOT understand is why, when he got away from the irate mob, he DID NOT call the police to explain what he had done!!.....This so sad! A beautiful child was killed! My heart breaks for this family...they will spend the rest of their lives grieving this child, and questioning their own culpability for what they could/should have done differently....This man will serve "deserved" time for this crime, and most likely be sent back to Mexico...And we can all do what we can to ensure this sort of thing doesn't happen again! But unfortunately, it will........so so sad!

smart1 said on December 18, 2009 at 11:55 AM

Shallow, I'm doing my part as much as I can at this point and becoming more involved the closer the next elections take place. My employer wouldn't touch an illegal for nothing, no matter what. Even if the illegal would work for peanuts. I agree again with you that fines are one way to correct this problem. I'm tired of hearing that no one else would do some of this work, well you know what, it's time the legal ones specially able bodied people on welfare and food stamps be forced to take these jobs.

prayineagle said on December 18, 2009 at 12:02 PM

You all know why you see so many latino babies right? Because the adults think if they have a child in the United States that because their child is US citizen, that it gives them the right to stay here too.

oregonpaul said on December 18, 2009 at 1:38 PM

You guys are all ILL informed! The accident happened at 5:52 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Stoneridge Apartments in the 3800 block of Sunnyview Road NE, where Lopez-Perez and the victim lived. NOT at 1130pm! Go to Statesmanjournal.com and read the article. Don't blame Bush for this! Blame Reagan and every president after for not shutting the boarders and cracking down on illegals INCLUDING your so ever lame OBAMA! IF you married a illegal YOU are just as worse as the people who want them here. If you Legally came here, then welcome. If not, go home.

shallowend said on December 18, 2009 at 3:33 PM

Paul, the left doesn't want to stop illegals because of the social issues where they come from. The right doesn't because they provide a very significant depression on wages and labor costs. So don't hold your breath about either of the "major" parties doing anything because they are predominantly extremists from the left and right fringe. Eagle: I would have no problem taking the children away from the parents and deporting the parents IF there was a plan to deal with the new foster kids. We already have 8000 at any one time, and Oregon has the highest foster adoption rate in the nation (by a long shot!). Those kids are US Citizens, so how do we deal with them?

monstermommy said on December 18, 2009 at 9:02 PM

People have the right of way in parking lots. If you are driving in a parking lot, it is YOUR duty to watch for pedestrians. You will find children in MOST apartment parking lots. Sometimes that is the ONLY place for the children to play outside. Stop accusing the parents of being bad, and SLOW DOWN in parking lots! If you are driving faster than walking speed in a parking lot, YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW.

speakthetruth said on December 19, 2009 at 12:46 AM

Apparently some of you readers are doin' it wrong: 1. The guy knew he hit the kid, but fled because of his ICE status. 2. They have caught the guy. Duh

smart1 said on December 21, 2009 at 9:14 AM

WANTED more ICE agents!