Tragic Traffic Accident Kills 4 Year-Old Child

 
Los Angeles: On Saturday, September 8, 2001, at approximately 3:50 p.m., a 38 year-old male Hispanic driving a 1997 GMC Kelmark Tow Truck was proceeding southbound on Avalon Blvd when he began making a right turn into the driveway of a Taco Bell Restaurant. As the truck entered the parking lot, the rear tires of the tow truck collided with 4 year-old Fred Allen of Los Angeles who was travelling on the sidewalk beside the tow truck. Fred was accompanied by his 13 year-old cousin who was walking southbound approximately five feet behind him. It was clear from the condition of the child following the accident that he was no longer living.
After the collision, an altercation occurred between the tow truck driver and an undetermined number of assailants as a crowd of approximately twenty people gathered around the tow truck. Los Angeles Police Officers arrived at the scene a short time after the accident and were able to restore order and disperse the crowd to assist the assaulted tow truck driver. The tow truck driver sustained serious injuries to his face and upper torso and was transported by Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics to a local hospital.
The parents and immediate family of the deceased arrived to the scene of the accident and were notified of the death of their son.
The tow truck driver was cooperative with officers during the investigation. He was examined for evidence of intoxication, and there is no evidence that the tow truck driver was impaired due to alcohol or drugs and he remained at the scene after the collision. At this time, the traffic collision has been determined to be an accident and no charges have been brought against the tow truck driver.
The assault by the undetermined suspects is being investigated by Southeast Operations Support Division. Anyone with information is asked to please call Southeast Detectives at 213-485-6902. Similarly, the traffic collision investigation is being handled by South Traffic Division, Detective Sherman. Anyone with information is asked to please call South Traffic Division Detectives at 213-485-7336 or 213-485-7417.
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Guillermo Campos, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.