Child Dies After Being Hit By Van

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- A child died Sunday after his bike was hit by a van at a Tulsa apartment complex.

The collision occurred shortly before 11 a.m. at the Observation Point Apartments near 41st Street and 129th East Avenue, Tulsa Police Cpl. Daisy Vallely said.

A 7-year-old boy was riding his bike through the complex parking lot when he was hit by a slow-traveling van, Vallely said. The driver didn't realize he hit the boy and kept driving, dragging the child.

Witnesses got the man to stop, and when he got out of the van and saw the child under his van, he took off running. The driver's brother got out of the van and stayed with the boy until emergency crews arrived.

The boy was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Police were looking for the driver, 45-year-old Jose Rodriguez. He is described as Hispanic, about 5 feet 8 inches and 140-160 pounds with thick facial hair.

Witnesses said the boy was traveling fast on his bicycle and not paying attention. Police did not believe the van's driver was at fault, but he is sought for leaving the scene of an accident.

"The problem was that he left the child underneath the van without even attempting to call 911 or render aid, and that, of course, is against the law," Vallely said.

A traffic investigator was en route to the scene when he was involved in an accident at 71st Street and Mingo Road. He sustained minor injuries.

4/26/2009  Related Story: Tulsa Police Officer Injured In Accident