On the evening of September 11, 2009, 1-year-old Kaylee and her 2-year-old brother, Oscar were struck by a drunk driver in their wagon while out for a walk with their parents at 10th and Redondo. The wagon and children were hit while their father pulled them through the crosswalk on a green-walk light. After hitting them, the driver continued northbound on Redondo Avenue with the two kids and wagon wedged in the wheel of his car. The driver stopped at one point, the small boy fell out onto the street where he was quickly retrieved by a witness. Kaylee was then dragged for mile before the driver pulled into his driveway and ran into his home. Kaylee Alvarez was pronounced dead at the scene, while her older brother is expected to make a full recovery at Memorial hospital.
All donations will be given directly to the family in this trying time.
Susy Says:
This story has broken my heart. Although I am not a parent myself, I cannot even imagine the difficult time this family is going through. May GOD bless them and stand by them throughout this difficult time.
Ben Says:
The Long Beach State Ice Hockey team send its condolences to the family and the entire Long Beach Community. Someone please contact me if there is anything we can do to help.
Kim Zensen Says:
There are no words to console a parent when they have lost a child. My prayeres are with you and your family.
God Bless
Smith Says:
This was a horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to the family and I hope the driver receives the proper punishment.
jtsmomma Says:
To the family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
In reply to Smith - I don’t even know how you can judge or question the family for going for a walk in their neighborhood. Yes it was a Friday and yes it may have been late. Does that really matter? And as for the wagon…being a parent myself I’ve used a wagon rather than a stroller as I’m sure other parents have. Of course we need to be cautious, but really. For a child, going for a ride/walk in a wagon should fun. This was a freak accident. And if you’re going to rant about a proper stroller rather than a drunk driver I think that’s a little out of line. I’m sure the parents were just trying to have a fun night with their children.
gofins Says:
Was at the Gas Station on Redondo and 10th at the time and saw all the commotion. Still affected. My condolences and prayers go to the Family.
gina Says:
i understand and respect you have opinions sean and smith, but could you maybe keep them to yourselves during this horrible time. you do not know this family nor do you have the right to judge. my prayers go out to this family and their friends.
Maria Says:
I think this is a horrible loss…the accident happened at 8:15 pm and in a crosswalk…let’s just re-focus on the tragedy. Drunk driving is the enemy, not the parents.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Print ShareThisAn infant girl is dead and her toddler brother critically injured in a hit-and-run crash in Southern California believed to have been caused by a drunk driver, police said.
Long Beach police spokeswoman Jackie Bezart said a man was pulling the children in a wagon across the street at about 8:15 p.m. Friday.
A sport utility vehicle struck the wagon in the crosswalk and dragged it for several hundred yards, she said.
The baby girl was pronounced dead at the scene. Her brother, who is between 2 and 3 years old, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Bezart said the unidentified male driver of the SUV was arrested. Authorities suspect he was drunk at the time of the crash.
Susan Says:
Did anyone bother to read the story before they passed judgment? It was 8:30 on a Friday, not 9/10 (Smith). And Sean…How are the parents negligent for crossing a green light in the crosswalk? This is a tragedy and a man who was under the influence was driving illegally and took the life of a child. It is horrible that anyone is trying to fault the family. Thank God that man will spend enough time in jail that he will not have influence on his own 4 children and maybe they have a shot at growing up in a normal healthy environment.
Lily Says:
it makes me very sad to see how many people don’t see that they need to be the ones to take responsibility for protecting their children from the evils of the world. that’s just awful. my condolences to the family but this loss has taught me to be a little more careful since we live in a world that isn’t changing.
april Says:
Lily are you effing serious!? aking your kids for a walk is something that all parents should do! it has nothing to do with protecting them from evil. you idiot.
Russo Says:
I don’t know the details of the accident really. Hardly can see how parents could be guilty, as long as they crossed on green light. This is the tragedy that nobody would wish to their enemies! My heart goes to you! I have a daughter of the same age, and I cannot even imagine what you are going through! I will donate as much as I can today, that in the end all combined it will make some things more simple for you. But it will never take all the pain away… Just try to be strong!
Yesenia Says:
Well im sorry im so late on this, but i just want to thank you all for everything you guys have done….and for your daughter i wish her the best of life, i wish my daughter was here as well but only GOD knows why???
KAYLEE”s mom….Yesenia
Coreene Says:
this story has caught my eye since it happened. As devistating as it is to myself, a mother of a 1 and half year old boy I could never imagine this happening. It pisses me off more that the man had the concious to pull over a block away, let the boy fall out, then to proceed to his home. I just hope that Dinkins gets the proper amount of time served in prison that he should. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to the Alverez family. This is a story I am and have been definitly keeping up on.
adam Says:
i am sad and angry this happened. i hope the best for the family. i love you.
Robert Says:
My thoughts and prayers go out to Kaylee’s family! I didn’t know her but she looks like a cute little angel! I will pray for your family and that you can stay strong in this I’m sure very difficult time.
Jenny Says:
I live in the complex right next to where this all ended. It was very scary to come home at 9pm and see my street blocked off by crime scene tape and police everywhere. Once I found out what happened I was so confused. The driver of the suv has only lived on the street a few mths and has kids himself. The few times that Ive seen him he has been the ideal father-outside fixing his kids bikes, playing water fights with them, playing football, barbequing etc. This was absolutely horrible and for him to have kids and not even stop is even worse. The true victims here are Kaylees family and friends as well as Mr Dinkins children and their mother. I cant judge him for what he’s done thats not my job but there will come a day that he will be judged by GOD and will have to answer for this as well as anything else that he has done in his past. Im so happy to know that kaylees older brother will make a full recovery but how do you explain to a toddler that the sister he’s asking for is not alive that she is living in heaven now? Little Kaylee is far happier than she ever was on earth and will never know sadness or pain again-she will live a life of true luxury but its heartbreaking that just over a mth after her first birthday and on the day she took her first steps that she was taken home to be with God. I pray every day for healing for this family in the loss of their daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter & friend. They will never forget her and always hold her in their hearts. I also pray that Dinkins family will heal from this too as his children are innocent victims as well. They will only have a few short years of memories with him instead of a lifetime of memories. There has been a little memorial set up for Kaylee on this street and every morning while I wait for my ride to work i go over and say a prayer for all those involved including those working the crime seen. I cant even imagine how it felt to them having to work the crime scene where an infant was killed. My heart and prayers go out to them too. I ask that you please not judge mr dinkins for what he’s done but to pray for his children and for kaylee’s family. Dinkins will face a far worse punishment on the day that he is judged by God unless he turns his life around while hes in prison. We are all entitled to our opinions but Im asking please if you cant say anything nice then please dont say anything at all. The families and friends need our prayers now more than ever-especially with Kaylees memorial service coming up this saturday.
Jenny Says:
Oh one more thing-there is a fund that has been set up for kaylees family its through wescome credit union and i believe the info is in the press telegram from sunday or maybe monday. Its also posted on the tree here at the memorial on our street and id assume at the memorial at 10th and redondo.
SHANNON Says:
i CANT BELiEVE HOW HEARTLESS PEOPLE CAN BE! mY PRAYERS & THOUGHTS GO OUT TO THE FAMilY OF KAYLEE…. i TOO HAVE HAD THE HEARTACHE OF LOSING A CHiLD AT A YOUNG AGE. iT iS NEVER EASY AT ANY AGE. GOD BLESS..
Pearl Arvizu Says:
This occurred right by my place. Redondo Ave is becoming a very dangerous street. This family completely obeyed the law and they were struck by a negligent and irresponsible driver. It’s not right nor just that people can’t feel safe to cross a street legally. I am still very disturbed by this story. My prayers go out to the Alvarez family.
Khalie Says:
This is heartfelt in our home… My BF can’t even bare to see Kaylee’s photo; he becomes outrage @the drunk driver; as we share the same sentiment…
Yet I would like to thank Jenny… WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE? I appreciate your insight on the Kaylee & her family’s drunken driver- as we are all human!
In truth this is a freak accident and no matter how much think we’re protecting our children the balance of God’s reasoning can’t be taken for granted…
With that said I’m thankful Kaylee is now in heaven away from all the hell most of us deal with here on earth…
Thank you God for showing me/us a name & face to one of your ANGELS! My prayers are w/Kaylee, her family & the witnesses to such a tragic outcome…