Hall County 11-year-old hit while riding a bicycle in critical condition
HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Javier Ramirez says he’s asked drivers for years to slow down in his Hall County neighborhood, now he’s making that emotional plea again with his 11-year-old son in the hospital.
A driver hit Santiago Ramirez as he rode his bicycle right in front of his Gainesville home last week.
He’s been in the hospital on a ventilator since the truck hit him. The child has a severe head injury and is now battling pneumonia.
“He’s not awake yet. It’s going to be a long process,” Javier Ramirez said.
Ramirez says his son had been riding his bicycle in loops on Beuna Vista Circle, up the sidewalks and down into the street.
The truck that struck him knocked the boy off his bike and several feet into the air.
Gainesville police say the case is still under investigation but it doesn’t appear the driver will be charged.
Officers told Channel 2′s Tony Thomas that evidence shows the child rode into the path of the truck.
Ramirez says his family has lived on the street for 15 years and he’s argued that signs in the neighborhood are not enough to slow down drivers.
“I’m so frustrated. I was always the one yelling at people, whistling at people and one my kids got in that position,” Ramirez said.