Memorial run planned for Parlier boy, 9, killed by juvenile driver
The family of a Parlier fourth-grader killed by an unlicensed juvenile driver in January has organized the Diego Estrada Memorial Run/Walk at Woodward Park in north Fresno on Sept. 6.
The event is open to adults and children of all age groups, said Diego’s brother, Mario Ramirez, 22.
There will be a kids’ half-mile run, a 10-kilometer race and a 2-mile walk/run. There also will be a men’s and women’s division, with the winner receiving money and awards.
The entry fee is $25 for teens and adults who register before the Sept. 6 event and $30 on the day of the event. The kids’ half-mile run has a $15 fee.
Parlier police said a 17-year-old driver lost control of a Ford F-150 pickup and struck a block wall before hitting Diego, his sister and a 17-year-old boy who were walking on the sidewalk on the way to school. Diego died at the scene.
Because the driver is a minor, police never identified him, but said he was charged in Juvenile Court with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.
Diego, 9, was a fourth-grade student at Brletic Elementary School, which is on the grounds of Parlier High and about a mile’s walk from the accident scene.
Diego’s family said he loved to play sports and that one of his favorite activities was to compete in races.
Diego’s brother said Friday the family plans to donate money raised from the memorial run to Brletic Elementary. “He really loved his school,” Ramirez said.
The boy’s family suffered another setback on Aug. 15, when a thief stole Diego’s mother’s purse while the family was in Exeter handing out fliers for the memorial race. Among the items stolen was a $1 bill that Diego was carrying with him when he was killed, his brother said. The $1 bill has Diego’s name, date of birth and date of death, written in red letters, Ramirez said.
“We really would like that dollar bill back because it means a lot to us,” Ramirez said.
For more information call Diego’s family at 559-356-7091 or register for the race here.
This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 10:53 AM with the headline "Memorial run planned for Parlier boy, 9, killed by juvenile driver."