Sixth grader Christina Lopez struck and killed by big rig in Texas City

A tragic accident in Texas City has claimed the life of sixth grader Christina Lopez. 11-year old Christina was struck and killed by a big rig truck as she waited for a school bus to take her to Levi Fry Intermediate School Monday morning. Christina was sitting at the bus stop at around 8:00 a.m. when the truck, driven by a neighbor, rounded a corner and struck her. A spokesman for Texas City Police Department, Captain Brian Goetschius, told Channel 11 reporters that they believed Christina was partially in the roadway when she was struck. Channel 2 quotes the Captain as saying that it was driver inattention or error in judgment for the driver to think he could turn the corner safely. Christina was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which was the 2900 block of 26th Street. Neighbor Adelina Moreno told reporters that when Christina's mother Nina Lopez was notified of the accident, Nina could be heard screaming. The truck driver volunteered to undergo a blood test after the accident. The school sent other children home with a letter to their parents explaining what had happened. John and Nina Lopez, Christina's parents, are devastated. Being a father of three young kids myself, I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child.

Channel 2's story of Christina's accident is here. Channel 13's story is here. The Houston Chronicle's coverage is here.

Update: Christina's funeral will be held today, Saturday September 29th, 2012.

Update: According to a story posted today (12-14-2012) by the Houston Chronicle, the 18-wheeler driver Hector A. Pena (45) has been indicted by a Galveston County jury on manslaughter charges for Christina's death. Pena is free on a $50,000 bond.

Sixth grader Christina Lopez was tragically killed when she
was struck by an 18-wheeler just yards from her Texas City home