Go Fund Me Page Set for Boy Hit By Car After Getting Mom a Gift

We have an update on the Lufkin boy who was hit by a car after he had purchased his mom a surprise Mother's Day gift. The 10-year-old Lufkin boy is identified as Diego Velasquez.

Diego told officers that his mom did not know he had left their home on Church Street because he wanted to surprise her with a card and candy. Diego made his purchase at Dollar General in Chestnut Village and was crossing the street to go home when the accident occurred.

The driver of a Chevy Malibu was headed northbound on Chestnut Street and side-swiped Diego in the outside lane.  The driver told officers he did not see the boy until it was too late. He said he attempted to swerve but was unable to prevent an impact. Because the vehicle had the right of way, the driver will not be cited.

A husband and wife who witnessed the accident stopped to help. Though Diego was in a great deal of pain, he managed to tell the husband his address. The man then went to Diego’s home and notified his family of what happened while the wife stayed behind to keep Diego calm.

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Diego suffered an open, compound fracture and was taken to a local hospital. He was later transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston where he underwent surgery, according to his father Santos Velasquez. Diego’s mother, Yanira, is by his side in Houston as he continues his recovery.

A Go Fund Me page has been created by Diego’s sister to help with medical expenses. That page can be found here:

https://gofund.me/b8cd03aa