2 y.o. Billy Montoya Jr. killed in hit and run

**Jaded** · October 24th, 2008, 04:23 AM

Little Billy Montoya Jr. was a happy, energetic 2-year-old who loved Elmo, riding his tricycle, dancing and jumping around.

The boy was killed Monday night when he ran out into the street in front of his home and was struck by a pickup truck. Police are continuing their search for the driver, who fled from the scene.

Billy — affectionately nicknamed "Peanut" — was always on the lookout for his grandmother and knew that she would come from across the street.
"He turned around and he saw me and I yelled, 'Peanut,' and he said 'Nana!' and he started running," Cota said Tuesday morning.

Billy knew to stay in the yard, but for some reason on Monday night he bolted out into the street to greet her and was struck by a truck that was southbound on Park Avenue.

He barely made it two steps into the street before he was hit by what police believe was a 2007 or 2008 Chevrolet Silverado with a chrome roll bar. The truck is likely maroon, dark red or black and is the LS or LT model, according to Sgt. Mark Robinson, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.

Billy's mother — Marcella Ybarra — had gone inside the home to grab a glass of water at the time, Cota said. But Billy was being watched by his 14-year-old uncle, Christopher Chavez, who tried to run after the toddler but was unable to reach him in time.

Both Christopher and Cota watched as the truck carried Billy for a short distance before he was thrown from the vehicle, Cota said. He was lifeless when they got to him, and it was clear that nothing could be done, she said.

A number of other motorists stopped, but the driver of the truck did not, Cota said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line of the Pima County Attorney's Office.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/byauthor/263542

Dammit.....

**Silvahalo** · October 24th, 2008, 10:31 AM

Both Christopher and Cota watched as the truck carried Billy for a short distance before he was thrown from the vehicle, Cota said. He was lifeless when they got to him, and it was clear that nothing could be done, she said.

I don't even want to imagine this...it so heart breaking and horrifying. I think I would have had heart-attack had it been my boy.

The grandmother I'm sure blames herself. Such a terrible thing this driver hitting and living his lifeless body.
Clearly it was an accident and no way the child would live...stopping was not only the moral thing to do but compassion and humanity would have shown respect to the child and family.

Rest in peace sweet "peanut".

**crickett** · October 24th, 2008, 10:47 AM

The truck having stopped couldn't bring him back to life but would have been the right thing to do. Apparently whoever was driving lacks in human compassion. I hope that they are found. I would stop even if I hit a dog or cat. How can one NOT stop upon hitting a child?
RIP little angel.

**Ceffy** · October 25th, 2008, 05:50 AM

People need to take roads seriously. Children do not need to playing in the front yard. Too many variables. Yes, I may be paranoid but for good reason. I lost my three year old brother 22 years ago to a tragic accident that is solely his biological mothers fault. She let him go play outside with no supervision (he was being "watched" by a 5 year old) and he took off and wandered onto a highway. Yes, that is quite a different situation but we all need to realize that it can happen in the few short seconds it takes to grab a glass of water. Don't let kids play even NEAR a street, ever. No front yards! Kids know to do a lot of things, does that mean they have the impulse control? No. They don't.

**Eagles Mom** · October 25th, 2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

"Billy — affectionately nicknamed "Peanut" — was always on the lookout for his grandmother and knew that she would come from across the street.
"He turned around and he saw me and I yelled, 'Peanut,' and he said 'Nana!' and he started running," Cota said Tuesday morning."

I know this is harsh, but why would you call the boy's name when you are still across the street? It's just inviting disaster if you know he's going to be happy to see you. 2 year olds may "know" not to go out of the yard. That doesn't mean they won't get excited and forget.

I feel so sorry for this family.

**Ceffy** · October 26th, 2008, 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by Eagles Mom

I know this is harsh, but why would you call the boy's name when you are still across the street? It's just inviting disaster if you know he's going to be happy to see you. 2 year olds may "know" not to go out of the yard. That doesn't mean they won't get excited and forget.

I feel so sorry for this family.

My heartaches for this family. I can't get them out of my head. There is no reason to call a child's name when you are still across the street but its common place to put a hand up and wave, saying "Hi". No one thinks about it really until its too late. More people need to be aware that this can happen and that kids can't control their impulses.

**hojofo** · October 26th, 2008, 01:44 PM

I cannot begin to imagine what this family is going through. It makes me sick at my stomach to think about it. When I was 13, I saw my 10 year old brother get hit by a car as I was trying to stop him from going into the street. To this day, I am a freak when one of my kids even gets close to the street! As for the bastard that hit this poor baby, I think there is a special place in hell, warming up for you right now!

**hojofo** · October 26th, 2008, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Ceffy

People need to take roads seriously. Children do not need to playing in the front yard. Too many variables. Yes, I may be paranoid but for good reason. I lost my three year old brother 22 years ago to a tragic accident that is solely his biological mothers fault. She let him go play outside with no supervision (he was being "watched" by a 5 year old) and he took off and wandered onto a highway. Yes, that is quite a different situation but we all need to realize that it can happen in the few short seconds it takes to grab a glass of water. Don't let kids play even NEAR a street, ever. No front yards! Kids know to do a lot of things, does that mean they have the impulse control? No. They don't.

Ceffy, I'm so sorry. My brother survivied the accident, but was very sick for a long time afterward. I still have dreams about that and it happened 21 years ago. I am paranoid, too. Can't help it!

**crickett** · October 26th, 2008, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by Ceffy

People need to take roads seriously. Children do not need to playing in the front yard. Too many variables. Yes, I may be paranoid but for good reason. I lost my three year old brother 22 years ago to a tragic accident that is solely his biological mothers fault. She let him go play outside with no supervision (he was being "watched" by a 5 year old) and he took off and wandered onto a highway. Yes, that is quite a different situation but we all need to realize that it can happen in the few short seconds it takes to grab a glass of water. Don't let kids play even NEAR a street, ever. No front yards! Kids know to do a lot of things, does that mean they have the impulse control? No. They don't.

I am so sorry for your loss....

**Castille** · October 26th, 2008, 10:44 PM

What a tragedy. I've had a couple family members hit by cars as kids (and live,) but with drivers that stopped. I'd never hold the driver in this case responsible, but his or her failure to stop just horrifies me. Adds some kind of wicked insult to unimaginable loss.

My middle kid was an instant street darter - I would swear that I finally understood people who put leashes on their children, because I needed one! It was years before we could do anything in the front yard again. My youngest stays close though, doesn't dart or wander off. So something tells me he's actually more at risk, because he lulls me into a false sense of security. I'll actually do things with him in the front yard, and expect him to be there a second later if I take my eyes off him.

**Peeperann** · October 26th, 2008, 10:53 PM

Oh incredibly sad this is. I'm sure the grandmother blames herself. No she should not have call his name, she should have 'wait there i'm coming, do not go near the road.

My heart still breaks for this family. I can't nor do I want to imagine the truck hitting him and to keep going with Peanut still on there. Sick. It was and accident. Unless he's total asswipe who just doesn't care. Or he was wanted for something and didn't want to get caught.

RIP little man, God has you now........