Child dies in Saturday accident

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

A family gathering turned tragic on Saturday afternoon when a vehicle-pedestrian accident claimed the life of a child in the 700 block of Commerce Street.

The Lockhart Police Department is investigating the accident, which took place just before 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. According to LPD Captain John Roescher, the chi

ld was visiting relatives at the residence when he was struck by a passing vehicle after running between two cars parked at the curb and into the street.

Roescher identified the child as Javier Cortez, 3, of Lockhart. His father later identified him as Javier Amare Gutierrez.

Cortez was struck by a Ford Mustang driven by Linda Ramirez, 42, of Lockhart. She said she had just left Mr. Taco and was driving northbound on Commerce Street when the accident occurred. Sources at the scene said Ramirez knew her vehicle struck something, but she did not see the child before hitting him, and did not realize until she saw him in the rearview mirror what had happened.

The boy was transported via helicopter to the Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, where he was pronounced dead on Saturday afternoon, Roescher said.

No charges have been filed against Ramirez, and neither alcohol, drugs nor excessive speed are suspected as contributing factors to the accident. The investigation is ongoing, however, and anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Lockhart Police Department at (512) 398-4401.