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Toddler Killed in Cupertino Crash Identified as 2-Year-Old Riley Howard; Driver Arrested on Suspicion of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter
A 2-year-old San Jose girl, Riley Howard, died after a Friday afternoon collision at North Tantau and Pruneridge avenues in Cupertino, and the driver of the other vehicle was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, authorities said.
CUPERTINO â A 2-year-old girl who died after a fiery two-vehicle collision last week has been identified as Riley Howard of San Jose, the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner said Sunday.
The crash occurred Friday afternoon at the intersection of North Tantau and Pruneridge avenues, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. Deputies from the West Valley Patrol Division arrived at the scene around noon and found a woman and the toddler suffering from serious injuries.
Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where Riley died of her injuries.
The driver of the second vehicle suffered minor injuries, was treated at a hospital and later released. Sheriff's officials said the man was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter. His name was not immediately released.
Video from the scene showed a car engulfed in flames after the collision.
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that could help the case to contact the sheriff's office STARS Team at 408-868-6637.
The intersection sits in a busy commercial and residential area of Cupertino near Apple Park, where traffic volumes are heavy on weekdays. The death adds to a grim tally of pedestrian and child fatalities on Bay Area roads in recent years, and comes as local governments face pressure to redesign major arterials for safety.
No further details about the circumstances of the collision, including which vehicle the child was in, were released Sunday. The investigation is ongoing.