ANTIOCH — A 12-year-old boy who was one of three middle schoolers from the same family injured last week when hit by a car will be taken off life support, according to a family member.
The boy and two other 12-year-olds were hit by a driver Friday as they walked home from Antioch Middle School. The two other children were expected to recover.
The shock felt by the children’s loved ones has not dissipated.
“Our family, all of our friends, we’re all just still stunned and trying to cope,” Tim Comfort, the three youngsters’ uncle, said Tuesday. “How else do you react to three kids walking home from school — that’s as basic as it gets — and they get hit because a driver is not patient enough to wait.”
A fundraiser to help the family pay for medical costs surged past $25,000 on Wednesday morning.
Witnesses said a Mercury Mystique was going westbound on Sycamore Drive about 3:20 p.m. and waiting for traffic to clear before turning onto Manzanita Way. A Chevrolet Impala tried to pass the Mercury at high speed but hit the Chevrolet, sending it into the three children, police said.
Police have not announced any arrests.
The children — Gianathan, Mason and Cheyenne — are part of a mixed family, Comfort said. They have three other siblings.
The boys were taken to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland. The girl was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center.
“The parents aren’t leaving the kids’ bedsides,” Comfort said. “The father is at UC Davis, and the mother is at Children’s Hospital in Oakland. So they’re not even able to be together.”
According to Charlotte Baker, the boys’ aunt, the decision to take Gianahan off life support was made Wednesday morning.
“He’s just a really nice kid,” Comfort said.
The two other children were in stable condition but it was not known when they might be able to go home.
“Cheyenne is bright and bubbly and is just starting to begin her teenage phase,” Comfort said. “Mason, I would say is the most mature of the group. He’s quieter, calmer and is very bright. He’s a big 49ers fan.”
As for their family, it’s managing the best it can, Comfort said
“It’s devastating,” he said. “We need prayers and support.”
Source: www.mercurynews.com