One Boy Killed, One Injured in Port Bolivar Halloween Accident

Two sixth-grade boys were struck by a pickup truck on Halloween in Galveston County as they attempted to cross the street to attend an event at the Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department. One boy, 12-year-old Ernesto Rodriguez, was killed in the Texas pedestrian accident while his friend, 11-year-old Christian Balderrama, was seriously injured in the Halloween traffic accident.

According to the Galveston County Sheriff's Office, the boys were riding in the back of a pickup truck on the way to a Halloween party, driven by Balderrama’s father. The driver stopped the truck on Loop 108 while waiting to turn into the Fire Department’s driveway. They boys jumped out of the stopped truck and ran across the street, where they were hit by an oncoming vehicle driven by a 52-year-old Beaumont man.

Grief counselors were available at Crenshaw Elementary School in Crystal Beach to help the boys’ classmates cope with the situation; a Sheriff’s Office spokesman reminded parents that while it is legal for children to ride in the back of pickup trucks, it is not the safest option.

At Vujasinovic & Beckcom, we would like to add that parents, children, and all drivers on the streets in Texas on Halloween should be especially vigilant for pedestrians. Halloween remains the deadliest night of the year for pedestrians around the country, though many of the tragedies that take place on this holiday could have been prevented.

If your family has been affected by a Halloween pedestrian accident in Port Bolivar or a traffic accident anywhere in Texas, you may need legal assistance. Contact the Texas personal injury attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom today to schedule a free, private meeting.