Aaron Escamilla was riding a bicycle on the railroad tracks across Schulte Road around 8:45 p.m. when he fell off the bike and was hit by a car traveling in the westbound lane, according to Tracy police.
The vehicle, possibly a 90s model, is also described as having tinted windows, fog lights, loud exhaust and could possibly have heavy front-end damage from the collision, the statement on Monday read.
Escamilla was flown by medical helicopter to Doctors Hospital in Modesto with a hip injury and head trauma. He was pronounced dead by hospital staff at 10 p.m.
No arrest has been made as of Monday afternoon.
The crossing is on Schulte Road between Lauriana Lane and Sycamore Parkway in central Tracy. The speed limit is 40 mph, and there are two lanes of traffic in each direction.
Two white crosses, two religious candles and three colorful bouquets of flowers were at the scene Monday, Feb. 11. Both crosses — which were adorned by stuffed animals — had the victim’s name, Aaron, in block lettering.
One cross read “10-4-85 to 2-6-13” while a bouquet had a card that read “I love you Daddy.” It was signed by Cinnamon in crayon.
Spray paint marks left by investigators — which indicate where evidence was located — were found on the road about 30 feet from the spot of impact.
Investigators were not available on Monday for comment because it’s their day off.
• Contact Joel Danoy at 830-4229 or jdanoy@tracypress.com.
Apparently he doesn't have many personnel looking for the suspect (who killed someone) cause they were off on Monday. Haa haa ha, what a joke. Maybe the suspect will turn himself in to the captain that way he can close the case and get a quote in the paper.
One more time and staying calm, here's what we know based on the information available so far, this was a terrible accident and there is zero proof anybody did anything wrong up to the point of the actual accident.
It's rather obvious after the accident the driver is both legally and morally wrong for leaving the scene, I'm in no way defending that action. However, judging the driver as a person at this point is to me wayward. Maybe the driver is a POS loser, but maybe they are a decent person who's made a terrible decision - again legally and morally. Have you ever made a mistake or a bad decision? Never mind, I know the answer.
Granted, in this case a man lost his life which obviously makes the drivers action after the accident pretty bad, but again, that doesn't neccesarily mean they are the worst person walking the earth.
cont....
You go right ahead with being judge, jury, and executioner based on assumptions, I'll stick with Aristotle.
livancv, Tracy Press will oft times not only pull comments of someone who crosses a line, they will also pull any replies. I for one don't recall any derogatory comments made by you so don't worry too much about it. Sorry for your loss and hopefully your family will get the answers you are looking for when the driver steps forward or is found which will hopefully be soon.
In both instances the pedestrian was ruled at fault. The first instance I was the driver on my way to school (I was 16 -17years old)through a construction zone. I was going about 20mph through the zone. A construction worker who was parked across the street ran to get something out of his car. He ran out between two cars right into the street where I slammed on my brakes and hit him anyway. He never looked. Thankfully he had very minor injuries. But I stopped. I saw he was OK then called my mom and the police. The second time my friend was driving us home from Fresno and we got to where we lived and were slowing down to come to a stoplight that was red. As soon as we slowed down the light turned green In the crosswalk (that has a dont walk light) a girl ran right in front of us. The other cars at the red light were able to stop. We never saw her. We hit her going about 40mph. We panicked for a split second then stopped to render aid. She was badly hurt, but made it..thank goodness. No, there is no reason not to stop unless you are hiding something. Come forward driver.
My heart also breaks for the poor driver who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I sure hope the driver was not aware of their actions and did not leave knowingly, because that is just not right. I understand being scared, but by not coming forward after seeing damage to your vehicle, that is a crime. I hope the driver comes forward so that this family can have some closure. I'm sure it was just an accident but now unfortunately, it's worse.
To the family, may God help you through this difficult time.
Here's what I know based on what I've read about this tragic event. A man for whatever reason was riding his bike along the railroad tracks, for whatever reason he fell in what was obviously a bad spot, he unfortunatley was hit by a vehicle going over the crossing at that exact point in time.
For those who apparently have forgotten the definition: accident
2. anything that occurs unintentionally or by chance; chance; fortune I met him by accident
3. a misfortune or mishap, esp one causing injury or death
From what appears to be nothing more than a tragic accident someone concludes Mr Escamilla is an idiot, oh really? Did you stop to think maybe he doesn't ride his bike on the tracks on a regular basis and was maybe taking a short cut? Have you ever made a bad decision? Please let me know what perfection feels like.
Others call the driver a coward. I fortunately have never hit someone with my car so I don't know what goes through the mind when such an event happens.
cont...
Others believe we need to change the speed limits in Tracy or make some other knee jerk reactions. Why, because a man tragically fell off his bike in a bad spot? When you come to a railroad crossing do you honestly think of slowing down because someone could be lying in the road?
Until I see evidence proving otherwise this was an accident, period. Stop trying to find fault where it may not exist. For the sake of Aarons family I hope the driver comes around and contacts the police as the more time which passes may make the coward accusation valid.
To the family member making threats to the driver, take it easy. You have the sympathies of the community at this point but telling someone they will need God if you find them before the police do is not the way to go.
Mr. Escamilla, may have never known they hit someone. Very sad. Wake up city of Tracy, change the speed limit.
NOW you are promoting bike safety?? Seriously????? To me??
Sorry, I don't ride a bike, but I'm clearly aware of the law when and if I do. Even then, this would not help me one bit if I was hit by a vehicle and the person driving that vehicle didn't stop... would it???????
You are truly stupid and conscienceless if you think people will forget about your previous mean-spirited thoughts and comments.
Thank you.
I went to the scene where Aaron was hit by a car. Only seconds after I arrived two young adults crossed the railroad tracks exactly where Aaron did...
Now, please stop posting all these hurtful comments.
Tracy community please contact the city about making some safety changes to the bike route, or Schulte Road between Lauriana Lane and Sycamore Parkway before another family has to go through the pain of losing a loved one.
Aaron you're loved and missed. You will be in our hearts forever..
livancv, your comments were likely removed because you made threats
Best of luck to the Tracy PD on finding who is responsible for this cowardly act. Hopefully we'll be reading soon that either an arrest has been made or they turn themselves in.