A toddler who died in a fiery car crash outside of Apple’s California headquarters has been identified.
The two-vehicle crash occurred around noon on Friday in front of the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino.
Two-year-old Riley Howard of San Jose was identified as the fatal victim of the crash by the County of Santa Clara Office of the Medical Examiner on Sunday afternoon.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they found Howard and an adult woman suffering from serious injuries and one of the cars on fire.
The toddler was first discovered unconscious by bystanders, who rushed to perform CPR until medics arrived.
Both the child and woman were rushed to the hospital, but the toddler succumbed to her injuries. The adult woman, who has not been identified, remains in the hospital in critical condition.
Authorities did not clarify the relationship between the woman and the two-year-old.
The driver of the second vehicle, an adult man who also has not been identified, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. He was treated and soon released.
Two-year-old Riley Howard of San Jose has been identified as the fatal victim of a crash in front of Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California
The crash involved two vehicles, one of which caught fire
Howard was found with an adult woman. The two were suffering from serious injuries and were rushed to the hospital, where the toddler died and the woman remains in critical condition
Police have said the cause of the crash is currently under investigation, but the male driver has been arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter.
The driver was arrested following an investigation by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Accident Reconstruction Specialist.
The investigation developed enough probable cause to take the man into custody, police said, but further details were not released.
‘This is a heartbreaking tragedy for everyone affected,’ said Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Captain Neil Valenzuela in a public statement.
‘Our thoughts are with the child’s family and loved ones as they navigate an unimaginable loss.’
A memorial was held for Howard on Saturday evening. Grieving community members lit candles and placed them near a photo of the toddler at the intersection where the crash occurred.
A witness of the crash named Jerry Pannone told ABC7: ‘I heard the crash and watched the car kind of spin around. It was sparking from hitting the curb.’
Police have emphasized that the investigation into the crash ‘remains ongoing as detectives work to determine all the circumstances surrounding the collision.’
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone who witnessed the collision or has information that may help investigators to reach out.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
