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September 26, 2007

Mother of boys struck by car thanks supporters/ Photo

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Elizabeth Jimenez speaks with reporters about her son Eric, who remains in Hasbro Children's Hospital after being struck in a hit-and-run incident on Sept. 9 that killed his brother. Providence City Councilman Leon Tejada, D-Ward 8, left, is her interpreter.

PROVIDENCE -- One toll taken on Elizabeth Jimenez isn't measured in dollars, but by a little boy's absence. Every day she grapples with the loss of 8-year-old son Ivan, killed by a hit-and-run driver this month.

But today she said her days are also spent in the hospital room of 12-year-old son Eric, who survived that driver on a West End sidewalk but is only beginning the road to recovery.

It's those days that literally add up. So Jimenez and Providence City Councilman Leon Tejada went before news cameras in the Hasbro Children's Hospital chapel today with a message urging people to help.

The fund for Ivan Jimenez at Citizens Bank, was set up in part to help defray Eric’s medical expenses. The fund was established with the help of City Clerk Anna M. Stetson, who also is handling cash donations at City Hall.

Donors to the Ivan Jimenez Memorial Fund, as announced in the Journal last week, may send a check made out to the fund and indicate on the check that it is intended for account number 91853493 at Citizens. Checks may be dropped off at any Citizens branch office in Rhode Island or Massachusetts or mailed to the branch where the account has been arranged: 333 West River Ave., Providence, 02909.

There's also a First Annual Ivan Jimenez Memorial Golf Tournament in Rehoboth, Mass., on Oct. 5 at 12:30 p.m. It's a $100-per-person benefit at the 18-hole course at Hillside Country Club, plus a steak fry immediately following the tournament.

Or you can buy burgers and soft drinks at a Providence picnic Oct. 6, the proceeds going to help with Eric's medical bills, Tejada said. The picnic will be held at at the social club at 100 Niagara St.

When Eric finishes at Hasbro Children's Hospital, he will need to undergo physical rehabilitation at a Boston hospital, said Tejada. Eric was initially in critical condition but is now in fair condition. The Jimenez's also have two other children.

"I wanted to thank everybody for the support," Jimenez said in an interview. She added: "I know everybody's been praying for my kids.

"It's very tough moments right now," she added. "We are right now focusing on getting Eric healthy."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Dennis H. Cherry Jr., 26, of no permanent address, faces two felony charges for allegedly having left the scene of the accident, and he is being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. He also has been charged with three traffic violations: leaving his lane of travel, operating left of center, and failure to show due care.

The police have said Cherry, an alleged crack addict with a criminal history, gave himself up to Chief Dean M. Esserman in an agreement arranged by the pastor of the church where Esserman's family worships.

In the aftermath, crisis teams went into the boys' schools to help children come to terms with what happened. Family and Ivan's classmates have tried to find a way forward.

Last week, the Journal reported that Ivan’s funeral and burial expenses apparently had been paid by donations raised so far, according to Deborah A. Wyatt, executive director of the West End Community Center, where the boys attended the daycare program.

Jimenez said that Eric can walk and communicate. She said he must eat a special diet of softer foods for the time being.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:09 PM | Permalink

September 26, 2007

Mother of boys struck by car thanks supporters/ Photo

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