Two families and the sheriff's office are devastated since a crash killed a 3-year-old boy Friday in San Ramon, an Alameda County sheriff's spokesman said Sunday.
Elijah Dunn died in a crash on northbound Interstate 680 around 6:20 p.m. and a woman married to an Alameda County sheriff's deputy was arrested on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly would not release the name of the deputy but said sheriff's officials are thinking about both families.
"We're devastated," Kelly said. "We're sad. This is horrible. Tragic. Many of us are parents. This hits very close to home."
California Highway Patrol officers arrested 39-year-old Pleasanton resident Yarenit Liliana Malihan after the crash on I-680 near Bollinger Canyon Road.
A black 2007 Toyota Camry with three children and their mother inside was parked on the shoulder of the highway when Malihan's white 2008 Toyota Sequoia crashed into the back of it, CHP officials said.
The children including Elijah, his 1-year-old sister and his 11-year-old brother were taken to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland. Elijah died at the hospital, according to CHP officials.
The children's mother was taken to John Muir Medical Center with major injuries.
Investigators concluded the small children in the Camry were secured in child safety seats and the other occupants were wearing seatbelts, CHP officials said.
Malihan was treated for minor injuries at San Ramon Regional Medical Center and booked into the county jail.
Kelly said sheriff's officials are making sure the deputy's family has the support they need such as counseling and peer support as deputies send out their thoughts to the boy's family.
"We're thinking of them and we will as we move forward," Kelly said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Elijah's family with living expenses, loss of income and the financial burdens of Elijah's death. The page can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/elijah-dunn.
About $24,400 had been donated as of 10:45 p.m. Sunday.
-- Bay City News Service
Comments
San Ramon
on Sep 12, 2016 at 8:43 am
on Sep 12, 2016 at 8:43 am
It's a sad situation for sure.
"Kelly said...." Who is Kelly? That person is never identified in this article. Yet, that person is quoted quite a bit.
Whenever I read the Express, and other reports, I often wonder if the "reporters" have had any training in journalism. Perhaps this isn't meant to be journalism and I ask too much? That they aren't journalists at all but kids writing an essay, or maybe just copying from other publications written by equally untrained kids?
I don't say this to be mean. The state of journalism is sinking, losing all standards. We should try to save it.
Registered user
another community
on Sep 12, 2016 at 9:30 am
Registered user
on Sep 12, 2016 at 9:30 am
Thank you for pointing out the typo in an earlier version of this story, Ms. Bunny. The article has been updated to include Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly's full name.
Registered user
Danville
on Sep 12, 2016 at 11:04 am
Registered user
on Sep 12, 2016 at 11:04 am
@Ms. Bunny,
We work very hard to bring quality journalism and local coverage to you and other Tri-Valley residents. It is unfortunate that the business model for journalism has changed and has forced the reduction of editorial staffs and even closures of newspapers nationwide.
You can help keep quality journalism alive and well in the Tri-Valley by subscribing to our Support Local Journalism program.
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Danville
on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:54 pm
on Sep 12, 2016 at 7:54 pm
I agree with the comment regarding journalistic quality nowadays, but if you read it carefully, the article does state who "Kelly" is - Ray Kelly, an Alameda County Sheriff's sergeant.
San Ramon
on Sep 12, 2016 at 9:14 pm
on Sep 12, 2016 at 9:14 pm
It angers me to see this article putting the family of the ("allegedly") drunk wife of a deputy on par with the grieving family of the innocent victims of this horrible tragedy. I certainly hope that none of our tax dollars are being spent for those who are unfortunately related to the irresponsible killer. I encourage all to donate t help the victims, and anyone who knows them to be there to help them through this horrible circumstance in any way possible.
Danville
on Sep 13, 2016 at 8:31 am
on Sep 13, 2016 at 8:31 am
All I can say is Really? " The deputy's family has the support counseling and peer support When all that is given the child's family is "their thoughts" Really?
Danville
on Sep 13, 2016 at 8:51 am
on Sep 13, 2016 at 8:51 am
The drunk driver was also in a DUI three weeks ago with her own child. This is reprehensible.
Danville
on Sep 13, 2016 at 11:39 am
on Sep 13, 2016 at 11:39 am
"Kelly said sheriff's officials are making sure the deputy's family has the support they need such as counseling and peer support..."
[removed] She's a murderer. Uber, cabs, family, friends...no excuse to get behind the wheel drunk. She's a killer of a small child. Period. Her family and 'peers' can deal with that on their own and without any sympathy from the public.
Support this family. They will need it to even go on with life.