A woman accused of striking a boy on a bicycle along a back alley in Pacific Beach, then running him over again in what police say was an attempt to flee, was identified Monday.
Hudson, 6, did not survive the injuries suffered when 32-year-old Tiffany Sanchez, according to San Diego police, struck the boy as he crossed the alley she was turning into near Ingraham Street and Pacific Beach Drive around 3:45 p.m. Saturday.
Investigators said after Hudson was struck the first time, Sanchez paused for a few seconds, then accelerated southbound through the alley, running the boy over in the process. NBC 7 learned on Monday that the boy’s parents were with him when the incident occurred.
The boy was transported to a hospital, where he died.
The suspect’s vehicle was found in National City at a later time, and the driver was taken into custody. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the crash and much remains under investigation. Sanchez, who was booked on vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run charges, did not appear to be in police custody Monday; it is not clear if bail was posted or if she was released.
Since the accident, people who knew Hudson and the community have been showing their love and support through a growing memorial. They have also been asking drivers to slow down in his honor.
An online family fundraiser describes Hudson as a bright and curious child who attended school in North Park, loved science, and whose contagious energy and spirit lit every room, adding that he had a passion for BMX, cycling, swimming, and building with Legos, and that he brought so much joy, kindness, and wonder to everyone he met.
At the site of the incident, neighbors and family friends have stopped by to drop off flowers, messages of love, and candles to honor Hudson’s life and memory. While NBC 7 was there, people who knew him dropped off posters with photos of Hudson and his family.
Courtney Rogers, a nearby resident, said Ingraham and Pacific Beach Drive are highly trafficked streets, making the road unsafe for pedestrians, cyclists, and even drivers.
“They just need to have more stop signs, lights, warning signs, flashing lights, I mean anything that we could do,” Rogers said.
Mark Johnston, who rides his bike along Pacific Beach Drive about three times a week, agrees.
“I think one of the major problems with safety on this road from my perspective is that there’s nothing to calm traffic between the major junctions,” Johnston said.
They hope Hudson’s memory serves as a reminder for drivers to slow down and prompts changes on that road to keep another tragedy from happening.
Hudson was a first-grader at McKinley Elementary School in North Park. On Monday, Principal Jonathan Morello sent out a statement to the school community.
“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of one of our students, Hudson, a first-grade student at McKinley Elementary School…. Our entire school community is deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts are with Hudson’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” Morellow wrote, adding that, “The San Diego Unified School District Crisis Response Team will be on campus beginning Tuesday to support our students, staff, and families.”
People living in the area of PB known as North Crown Point told NBC 7 on Monday that the streets nearby can be dangerous because of speeding drivers. Some say that the lack of safety may have led to the tragedy. There are no speed bumps, not many stop signs and a lot families living near Pacific Beach Drive
“With all these side streets and alleys — there’s a ton of traffic that’s always in and out of here,” Eric Fletcher told NBC 7.
Running a stop sign is routine, according to people NBC 7 spoke with.
Fletcher and his wife, Tatiana, brought their 8-year-old son, Ocean, to the alley where Hudson died. Ocean has his own bike. He’s struggling to understand what happened here.
“I don’t know how to describe this feeling,” Ocean said. “It’s kind of like anxiety..’
Jeremy Bloom is with Circulate San Diego, a nonprofit organization that helps local governments to improve traffic flow and safety on streets across the county. The mission is to get to zero traffic deaths someday.
“We have to invest in traffic calming measures that will slow vehicles down,” Bloom said. “Also, we have to make sure folks know that leaving the scene of a crime is unacceptable. If they do, they have to be held accountable.”
According to Circulate San Diego, 146 people have been killed in traffic accidents on the streets of San Diego in the past two years.
Police ask that anyone with information related to the incident call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
