Hudson O’Loughlin. (Photo from GoFundMe)
Family and friends of 6-year-old Hudson O’Loughlin — struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding a bicycle with his family last month — will hold a memorial walk and “ghost bike” dedication tomorrow in his honor.
Hudson was crossing an alley on Pacific Beach Drive on Jan. 17 when a motorist hit him twice and fled the scene, authorities say.
His family “welcomes everyone to join us in a community memorial and ghost bike installation honoring and celebrating our sweet boy, his love of cycling, and the pure joy he found in every part of life,” a statement from the family says.
The memorial walk is set to begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the joint-use field of Crown Point Junior Music Academy, an elementary school. The entrance is on Jewell Street. The walk will proceed two blocks to the crash site, Pacific Beach Drive west of Ingraham Street, for the ghost bike installation.
Attendees should dress in blue, orange or camo, O’Loughlin’s favorite colors, organizers said.
A “ghost bike” is a common memorial to cyclists killed in traffic accidents — usually by motorists. The bikes are painted completely white and usually are adorned with flowers and/or personal mementos of the deceased.
A GoFundMe page created to support the boy’s family describes Hudson as having “an adventurous and creative nature” that “inspired everyone around him.”
The page says Hudson attended school in North Park, had dreams of becoming a military scientist, and had “a passion for BMX, cycling, swimming, skating, and building with Legos.”
“One of the sweetest memories his mom holds close is how, as soon as the sun came up, Hudson would come into her room to ask for cuddles,” the page reads. “Those quiet, loving moments were a daily reminder of the deep bond they shared.”
The page can be viewed at gofundme.com/f/support-for-hudsons-family-after-tragedy.
Tiffany Sanchez, 32, is accused in Hudson’s death. A suspected unlicensed driver, she has pleaded not guilty to charges that include gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run causing death, authorities said.
Deputy District Attorney Cassidy McWilliams alleges that Sanchez fled the scene and did not stop or call 911. A photograph of the vehicle captured by a bystander led to her arrest about three hours after the crash at her home in National City, the prosecutor said.
According to McWilliams, Sanchez was not driving with a valid license at the time of the fatality, as her driver’s license has been suspended since 2017.
Along with the felony counts of manslaughter and hit-and-run, Sanchez is charged with an infraction for driving without a license. She faces up to six years in state prison if convicted of all counts.
Sanchez was initially arrested solely on suspicion of hit-and-run and was released from custody on $50,000 bail, but with the added charge of gross vehicular manslaughter, Superior Court Judge Steven Stone granted a request from the prosecution to increase bail to $150,000 and remanded Sanchez into custody.
If she makes bail, she is prohibited from driving and will have to be monitored by GPS.
Andre Bollinger, an attorney representing the boy’s parents in a potential pending civil matter, said last month that his firm is investigating where fault might lie, including potentially with others besides Sanchez.
Bollinger said they understand Sanchez was not the owner of the vehicle and that the roadway where the fatality occurred is unsafe, leading to numerous other accidents in the past.
Bollinger told reporters the family is “devastated,” but said they were glad the criminal process has begun.
“We’re heartened to see that the District Attorney’s Office has brought a charge of gross vehicular manslaughter against Ms. Sanchez,” the attorney said.
The family has scheduled a private funeral service for Wednesday.
Families for Safe Streets San Diego, BeautifulPB, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, Circulate San Diego and BikeSD have provided support and donated the ghost bike.
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