Ceres, California — February 9, 2011
Police say a teenage girl died and four more were injured Wednesday when a pickup truck jumped the curb in Ceres and struck them as they walked to school.
The Ceres Police Department reports that 45-year-old Larry Dale Duke was driving his 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck near the intersection of Darwin Avenue and Fowler Road, near Smyrna Park, around 9 a.m. For unknown reasons, he apparently lost control and struck the group of five girls, all 13 or 14, as they walked to Mae Hensley Junior High School.
Mr. Duke failed to heed a stop sign, according to eyewitness accounts, which also suggest he was wearing headphones or using a mobile phone with an earpiece at the time of the crash. Mr. Duke suggested he might have fallen asleep.
Citizens have identified the deceased victim as Danielle Tarancon-Leon, 13. Injuries to the other girls were reported as serious to minor and at least one victim was dragged underneath Mr. Duke’s vehicle. One of the girls, Nancy Zavala, was airlifted to the University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, where she was admitted in fair condition and expected to undergo knee surgery.
On Thursday, friends and family staged a car wash along Ceres Street to help raise money for the family. The Danielle Marie Tarancon Memorial Fund has also been established in Danielle’s honor. Donations can be made at Bank of the West, 2501 East Whitmore Avenue, or Valley First Credit Union, 1501 Mitchell Road.
A Facebook memorial page has also been created for friends and family to share their thoughts and memories of Danielle.
UPDATE: Police arrested Mr. Duke on Friday, February 25, on suspicion of vehicular manslaugher committed with gross negligence, after he failed to turn himself in. His driving record includes previous infractions for DUI (driving under the influence) and speeding.
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