The community of San Tan Valley is reeling after three children were struck by vehicles in a spate of incidents that have occurred over a mere ten-day period. The most recent case has seen a 13-year-old boy, Frank Gonzalez, hit by a car that fled the scene, leaving him injured and in need of multiple surgeries. He was struck while walking home on West Saddle Way and Johnson Ranch in San Tan Valley, according to a statement obtained by azfamily.com. His mother, Marnie Cook, said tearfully, "It’s probably the most terrifying thing I’ve ever had to go through. Parents’ worst nightmare." The Pinal County Sheriff's Office is on the lookout for a damaged four-door Kia sedan, model year 2016-2024, which may be involved in the hit-and-run.
In an outpouring of frustration and concern, families and residents are calling for changes to improve safety in the area. Despite the nearby construction traffic, at least two of the three accidents were unrelated to road projects. However, the Arizona Department of Transportation and Pinal County have announced no further peak-hour restrictions until other permitting work on Gantzel is completed in the region, according to azfamily.com. One of the mothers affected, Cook proclaimed her desire to see more safety measures implemented: "I wish there was something more that we could do. Come together as a community, contact the HOA, whoever we need to to get resources out there, more speed bumps, more lighting."
Families are not just waiting for officials to act; they're making public pleas for safer streets and accountability. The mother of Gonzales Jr., the 13-year-old victim of a hit-and-run, has steadfastly declared she will not stop advocating until the driver responsible is identified. Speaking about her son's injuries, she stated in an interview given to FOX 10 Phoenix, "We don't know what the future holds. He has severe ACL muscle tissue damage and will have further surgeries." Her call to action extends to fellow drivers in the San Tan Valley: slow down and make it home to your loved ones safely.
The impact of these events extends to the community's sense of security, especially for those with children who traverse the same streets daily. Echoing the sentiments of Cook, families are voicing their concerns and urging drivers to be more cautious. The sister of Jeriah Smith, another teen victim who was struck at a nearby intersection eight days before Gonzales Jr., expressed her sorrow and frustration during a FOX 10 Phoenix report: "This could've been anybody's kid. Our sister was feet behind him. We could've lost both of our siblings because somebody wanted to not pay attention in a school zone, in a crosswalk where kids walk every single day at the exact same time." Both families have faced an unenviable journey of recovery and appeal for driver attentiveness and community solidarity.
If you have any information about the hit-and-run incident on January 30, consider reaching out to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office at 520-866-5111. Additionally, to support the Smith family, they have set up a GoFundMe to help with Jeriah's medical expenses.
