Ten-year-old Irie Suarez and her family had just moved to Texas from Louisiana. In the few weeks that she had been attending her new school, she had already made an impression.
The accident happened on Suarez’s way to school on Thursday, February 19, around 8:00 a.m.
Have you or a loved one been involved in an accident? Speak to a lawyer for a free no obligation consultation
Or call us at (888) 699-7975
The preliminary reports from Bexar County officials stated that Suarez swerved into traffic while riding her bike. They concluded that it was possible that the weight of her backpack may have caused her to lose control of the bike.
Her parents have a different explanation. They state that she was going around a woman who was pushing a stroller when the accident happened.
The accident occurred near Ranch View East and Remrock Valley.
A car that was driving down the road ended up hitting Suarez as her bike swerved. Suarez was close to her destination at the time. The nurse at Kallison Elementary ran to the accident and began performing life-saving measures on Suarez.
Emergency personnel took Suarez to University Hospital for treatment of her injuries. It was announced later that she had died as a result of the accident.
The community is now calling for a change in the neighborhood. They are stating that drivers are driving too fast in the area.
An online petition has been started for guardrails, additional lighting, and even speed bumps. There are a lot of children in the neighborhood who ride their bikes to school and the community wants to safeguard them.
The Suarez family and their friends have erected a memorial for the girl close to where the accident occurred.
The school has grief counselors on-site for the faculty and staff during this time.
In a statement released by the Bexar Sheriff’s Office, the driver is not facing any charges at this time. They are looking for two people who may have been witnesses to the accident at the time.