Des Moines, Iowa residents are grieving the heartbreaking loss of one little 6-year old boy. The child, identified as Irving Aguilar-Gonzalez, was playing in his own backyard Monday afternoon, jumping on his trampoline. A witness spoke to the media and police and said a white pickup truck was traveling over the speed limit as it “zig-zagged” in and out of traffic. She was concerned the truck did not slow as traffic neared a local school. The witness said the truck had to be going over 50 m.p.h.
That same reckless driving would soon land in the backyard of one happy little boy celebrating his first day on summer break.
Per police officials, the pickup truck driver lost control of his vehicle and it crashed through the protected fence of the home, located on Hickman Road. The truck did not slow as it struck the trampoline and little Irving. Reportedly, the truck carried the boy and trampoline until it shuddered to a stop in a ditch, several yards away from the backyard.
Police, medics and a tow truck were called to the scene to move the truck and retrieve the child from the ditch. Sadly, it was too late. Little Irving was pronounced dead at the scene.
Irving was playing outside with a 4-year old friend. The younger child was near the trampoline but was not hit. He was rushed to the hospital for minor injuries, and is expected to make a full recovery.
Sgt. Jason Halifax, the spokesman for the Des Moines Police department said the school districts were just exiting their final classes, and looking forward to the summer. “It’s hard to put into words how heartbreaking that is.”
A neighbor stepped forward and said Irving and his mother lived alone, and to her understanding have no immediate family in the state.
The driver was identified as Guadalupe Villa-Guzman. Not only was Villa-Guzman driving on a suspended license, he had just hit an SUV on the same street seconds before striking Irving. Reportedly, the SUV was driven by a mother with her three children inside. No injuries from that accident have been reported.
For little Irving’s family, they face devastation at the loss of such a young, bright and loving life. A medical examiner arrived at the home to take photos of the crime scene. The pickup hit the curb and a utility box before striking the fenced in backyard, indicating excessive speeds.
Villa-Guzman was hospitalized for an external issue, upon his release officers will place him under arrest to face numerous charges from reckless driving to vehicular homicide.