Fund Started After 4 Year Old Girl Is Killed By a Trolley

July 30, 2009

Chula Vista – The Mission Federal Credit Union has established “The Veronica Ramirez Fund” after Veronica who was only four years old, lost her life in a trolley accident last July 27, 2009.

The fund was established to help Veronica’s family as she has six other siblings aged 1-7 years old.

Veronica was slain when she and her father, who were riding a bike, got hit by a northbound Metropolitan Transit System trolley near Industrial Boulevard. According to the authorities, the collision sent the father and daughter about 40 feet down the track.

Her father, Gregorio Ramirez, 34, suffered a broken hip and is at a San Diego hospital. Veronica, who was in riding in a child seat but was not wearing a helmet died after 30 minutes after being admitted to the Rady Children's Hospital.

According to the police, Gregorio was seen by several witnesses trying to cross the tracks even after the automatic arms that prevent vehicles from crossing the tracks had been lowered.

Rob Schupp, a spokesman for Metropolitan Transit System said that their trolley operator sounded the horn and even hit the emergency stop to avoid hitting the pair who crossed the railroad illegally.

He said that the death of Veronica is a tragedy but emphasized that people must follow signals at railroad crossings to be safe. Schupp stated, “When the crossing guard arms are down, you must stop.”

The collision is currently being investigated by police and MTS. Charges could be filed against the father, including a child endangerment charge by the District Attorney's Office.