Emotional Vigil Held For 2 Young Brothers Killed In Boyle Heights Crash
BOYLE HEIGHTS (CBSLA) — Dozens of people came to Boyle Heights Saturday to pay their respects to two young brothers killed in a crash involving a LA Sheriff's deputy vehicle.
A vigil was held at the site of the accident.
CBS2's Tina Patel reported from the scene.
Many of the mourners told Patel they didn't know the boys or their family but wanted to be there to offer support.
They brought flowers and lit candles.
The pastor who led everyone in prayer said finding answers in a tragedy like this would be difficult.
The boys, 9-year-old Marco Hernandez and his 7-year-old brother, Jose, were walking on the sidewalk with their mother Thursday evening when they were hit by a Sheriff's cruiser going through the intersection with lights flashing but no siren.
A woman who lives in the area said it's not the first time she's seen cruisers speed through the area.
"I used to tell myself, I know they have an emergency to attend to," says Socorro Rojas, "but, hey, have they forgotten this intersection is an intersection where you should be careful."
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Friends of the family told Patel that the boys' mother is still in the hospital -- fighting for her life. They're hoping she recovers but said they expect it will take a long time to accept that her two boys are gone.
When students and staff at the 32nd Street School/USC Magnet found out that one of the victims was a third-grader at their school, they knew they has to come and pay their respects.
"Since our school is such a tight community, everyone knew each other so to know someone lost their life, it's like losing a family member," says Danielle Lopez, a classmate of one of the boys.
