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« Star of 'Hannah Montana' to perform in Providence | Today | Services to mark 6th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks » September 10, 2007Update: Impact of fatal hit-run reaches into schools
Family photo IVAN JIMENEZ
An uncle identified the boy as Ivan Jimenez, 8, and School Principal Jose Valerio this afternoon verified that a group, including a guidance counselor, the nurse, a psychiatrist and the principal himself went into classrooms to speak to the children, including those who knew Ivan well. About 10 to 15 students had individual counseling as well. Valerio said letters about what happened are going home to all parents. One teacher called Ivan "smart" and another teacher said he was "bright," a hard worker, according to Valerio. "He often had a smile on his face" and was "always willing to help kids; since he was one of the smartest ones he was always helping his classmates. "It was a tragedy," added Valerio. "It's hard for the families," the students and others and "we are here to support them." The Providence police continue looking for the man they believe drove the car -- 26-year-old Dennis Cherry. Cherry, who police said initially was from Warwick, has no known address. A small memorial marks the block where the hit-and-run accident on Bucklin Street yesterday took Ivan's life and left his 12-year-old brother, Eric, a Gilbert Stuart Middle School seventh grader, in critical condition today Gilbert Stuart school had a faculty meeting this morning to let teachers know what happened. A crisis team from the district was in as well. They met with groups and individuals if they felt they needed counseling. Principal Marc Catone sent letters out today and will make phone calls to parents tonight using the Connect-Ed system. Police Chief Dean Esserman was in speaking to the students. “It really was a concerted effort to make sure everyone was OK," Catone said. Catone said Eric is “a really good kid, very good, never in trouble.” A handful of students needed to do “a little more with the counselors” because they knew him out of school. Out at the memorial today, cars driving down the active street in the city’s Elmwood neighborhood slowed down to take note of the burning candles and toy cars on the sidewalk near the scene. A firetruck drove by, pausing and pointing at it before driving off. One young woman, who did not want to be named, took a bracelet off her wrist and placed it on the memorial. She said the boys were close friends of her family. There are always children walking up and down Bucklin Street, she said. You can see colorful murals that decorate The Met School from the site of the accident. “It could’ve been any little kids,” she said. “Unfortunately, it had to be them.” The police say the boys were walking home on the sidewalk on Bucklin Street between Bellevue Avenue and Hanover Street at about 2 p.m. when Cherry, driving southbound, drove onto the sidewalk and struck them from behind. -- projo.com staff writers Michael P. McKinney and Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Gregory Smith and Journal staff photographer Bill Murphy 
Police handout photo DENNIS CHERRY After they were hit, according to the police, the suspect left his car, a 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis, and ran away. The police said they've issued a warrant charging Cherry with leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting, and leaving the scene of an accident, injury resulting. Cherry's mother, Kathy Dagraca, visited the scene this morning and said her son wasn't involved. She said that it was his car, but that the police description of the driver doesn't resemble her son. The children were taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where Ivan was pronounced dead. His brother was in critical condition with multiple injuries, including one to the head, a hospital spokeswoman said this afternoon. Posted by Mike McKinney CommentsKellie | September 10, 2007 5:18 PM link GOD BLESS YUH iiVAN!YUH WERE SUCH A LiiL KUTE YUNG BOii! && YEH YUH R MiiSSED Bii MANY'Z! YOU WULD NEVA BE FORGOTTEN! zaida | September 13, 2007 11:57 AM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
If Dennis Cherry's mother is so sure that her son was not involved in this tragic accident, that took one innocent life and left another child fighting for his, then why doesn't she explain why he can't be found. If he is innocent then he should turn himself into police and explain himself rather than hiding like a coward.