SAN RAMON (KRON) — A crash that killed a 3-year-old boy on Friday in San Ramon has left two families and a community devastated.
Elijah Dunn, 3-year-old of San Ramon, died in a crash on northbound Interstate Highway 680 around 6:20 p.m., according to Alameda County sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly.
Kelly would not release the name of the deputy but said sheriff’s officials are thinking about both families.
California Highway Patrol officers arrested 39-year-old Pleasanton resident Yarenit Liliana Malihan for felony driving under the influence after the crash on Highway 680 near Bollinger Canyon Road.
A black 2007 Toyota Camry with three children and their mother inside was parked on the shoulder of the highway when Malihan’s white 2008 Toyota Sequoia crashed into the back of it, CHP officials said.
The children including Elijah, his 1-year-old sister and his 11-year-old brother were taken to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. Elijah died at the hospital, according to CHP officials.
The children’s mother was taken to John Muir Medical Center with major injuries.
Investigators concluded the small children in the Camry were secured in child safety seats and the other occupants were wearing seatbelts, CHP officials said.
Malihan was treated for minor injuries at San Ramon Regional Medical Center. She was then booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for felony driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Kelly said sheriff’s officials are making sure the deputy’s family has the support they need such as counseling and peer support as deputies send out their thoughts to the boy’s family.
“We’re thinking of them and we will as we move forward,” Kelly said.
Malihan has since been released on bail.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Elijah’s family with living expenses, loss of income and the financial burdens of Elijah’s death.Bay City News contributed to this report