FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
Just after 9 p.m. Wednesday, Donovan Maldonado was out riding bikes with his family on the trail near Millbrook and Shepherd. That's when a car, driven by 42-year-old Loren Lebeau, came barreling through the crosswalk, slamming into Donovan, his dad and 18-month-old sister.
"This family's life is changed forever," Lieutenant Tony Bennink, Fresno Police Department, said.
"Just careless and stupidity, a great amount of stupidity," Tom Slaton, who rides the bike path almost every day, said about LeBeau's actions.
For people who live in the area, the trail and crosswalk are well-known. And if you're going westbound, like LeBeau was, there are several signs warning you of what's ahead. About 50 yards away from the crosswalk, there are two orange flashing lights. Then right before the crosswalk are two more reflective signs. But police say LeBeau sped right through.
"Perrin is well-lit and Millbrook is well-lit. There's quite a bit of light there," Bennink said.
Police say LeBeau dragged Donovan two-tenths of a mile. To put that into perspective, that's more than the length of three football fields.
"He came loose from underneath the car and laid at that location where we found him," Bennink said about Donovan.
LeBeau then took off, leaving Donovan in the street. But eventually he drove back to the scene and got out of his car.
"Officers approached the vehicle and began inspecting the vehicle. When the suspect walked up to them and admitted to driving the car," Bennink said.
Police say LeBeau, who is the Central High School varsity boys' basketball coach and teaches P.E. there, smelled like alcohol. He failed a field sobriety test and was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail, but released on bail about 12 hours later. But the Maldonado family will never be released from their pain.
"A family was out together, a pleasant Fresno evening enjoying some exercise and then this happens," Bennink said.
"What do you say to somebody who's lost a child?" Slaton said.
Fresno police also tell KMPH News that Donovan and his little sister were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.
Hospital officials say Donovan's father, Jesse, is in stable condition. His sister, however, is listed in critical condition.
