14-year-old hit, killed on way to Concord middle school

CONCORD, Calif. (KGO) -- A teenager was killed at the intersection of Clayton Road and Detroit Avenue in Concord, while crossing the street. The driver, who had the green light, never had a chance to stop.

Police say the middle school student tried to cross the street when he shouldn't have and was hit in the street.

The 14-year-old has been identified as Christopher Gonzalez. His family told ABC7 News, early Wednesday morning he left the nearby apartment complex, where he lives, and he tried to cross the street to catch the bus and go to school. That's when he was hit by a car.

Christopher attended Oak Grove Middle School in Concord and he was very liked by his friends.

Police say the 14-year-old approached the crosswalk against the signal, meaning he did not have the right of way. The driver, according to police, was not at fault and was following the 35 mph speed limit. Police also say no drugs or alcohol were involved.

Gonzalez was being taken to Children's Hospital Oakland, but there were some complications and the ambulance ended up taking him to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek.

The Mount Diablo Unified School District issued a statement saying: "We are heartbroken to learn of the loss of one of our students today, a 14-year-old young man. There will be a crisis team on campus tomorrow to support students and staff as they grieve."

Ironically, in September 2013 students at Oak Grove had taken a course in safety when walking or bicycling to school.

According to a cousin, they plan to set up a fund to help the family.

Kerri Heusler is with Street Smart Diablo. She told ABC7 News, "We're deeply saddened for our Oak Grove Middle School and for our community. It just reminds us to continue to promote the message of traffic safety."

Friends of the family plan to set up a fund to help the family.