Middle Schooler Hit By Car Just Hours Before His Band Concert

Posted March 16, 2012

Parents completely packed the gymnasium for the California High School Area Band Festival Thursday night, snapping cell phone pics and recording videos to document the performance.

But one young musician and his parents were missing.

The 13-year-old was planning on playing his guitar with his peers. Instead he was at Children's Hospital in Oakland — fighting for his life, his parents by his side.

According to San Ramon Police, at around 2 p.m. — five hours before the concert —  the student was riding his bike on Bollinger Canyon Road.

While entering the crosswalk at the Bollinger Canyon and I-680 onramp intersection, the boy was struck by a vehicle. He sustained serious head injuries and was taken by helicopter to Children's Hospital for emergency surgery. As of 8 a.m. Friday, the boys father said he was still in critical condition but doing well.

The driver was not hurt and is cooperating with police. No criminal charges are expected to be filed, Lt. Mike Boehrer said.

The incident was not announced during the concert, which featured about 385 students from schools throughout the .

Kent Johnson, Cal High's band director, said he was aware of the accident and teachers talked with some of the students before the performance.

Jeanette Brown, Iron Horse Middle School's band teacher, said a school counselor was on site if students needed to talk about their injured peer.

"I'm a firm believer that it's best to keep business as usual to keep their minds busy," Brown said. "But our thoughts are definitely with him."

The injured boy, who joined the band this year, was described as one of the most popular and likeable band members.

"He's just really outgoing," said Joseph Lee, an eighth-grader at Iron Horse. "You can always talk to him and (he's) a good guy to hang out with."

Seventh-grader Rhea Challa also plays guitar and said her injured friend has helped her improve her skills this year.

"It kind of sucks because he was part of the group of guys we hung out with and we loved being around them," Rhea said. "He is the best guitarist we have."

Note: In a previous version of this article, the 13-year-old injured boy was named. But, at a request from the father, the name has been removed.