URGENT UPDATE: Tragedy strikes as 17-month-old Elijah Manley has been identified as the child killed in a devastating four-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 near Loveland, Colorado, on Tuesday. The Larimer County Coroner’s Office confirmed Elijah’s identity in a statement released Thursday morning.
The crash occurred near Crossroads Boulevard and has left one juvenile and two adults from the vehicle Elijah was in hospitalized, according to the latest reports from the Colorado State Patrol. Elijah was pronounced dead at the scene, underscoring the severity of this tragic incident.
Authorities revealed that the accident was triggered by a prior medical emergency involving another vehicle, which had pulled over for urgent assistance. The subsequent collision involved a box truck, a Lexus GX, a Kia Telluride, and a Chevrolet Silverado towing a trailer.
Jose Salazar, the 35-year-old driver of the box truck, is now facing multiple serious charges, including child abuse, vehicular homicide while under the influence, and vehicular assault. According to a Colorado State Patrol release, Salazar veered into the right lane, colliding with the Lexus, which then struck additional vehicles in the chain reaction. No injuries were reported among the occupants of the other vehicles, but the implications of this crash are devastating for Elijah’s family.
Salazar is scheduled to appear in 8th Judicial District Court in Fort Collins at 8:30 a.m. on December 29 to face these charges. As the community grapples with this heart-wrenching loss, a GoFundMe has been established to assist Elijah’s family during this unimaginable time. The fundraiser aims to alleviate financial burdens from lost wages and unexpected expenses related to the tragedy.
The heartfelt description on the GoFundMe page reads, “No words can fully capture the heartbreak of losing a child in a tragic car accident, and this family is now walking through an unimaginable season of grief.” The community’s response has been overwhelmingly supportive as they rally together to provide for the family in need.
As investigations continue, this story serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact of road safety. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story and the legal proceedings against Salazar.
