Oxnard family grieves for toddler
Girl dies after being accidentally run over by her uncle's truck
By Maria Gonzalez, mgonzalez@VenturaCountyStar.com

October 27, 2004
A somber mood clung to the house on Hamilton Avenue in Oxnard Tuesday, as the Flores family grieved the loss of 2-year-old Erika Flores.
Erika died Monday afternoon after her uncle backed into her while moving his truck out of the driveway at her home in the 4300 block of Hamilton Avenue.
Relatives crowded inside the kitchen and around the dinner table where the day before the family had enjoyed a meal together. Erika's mother sobbed at the table while her husband soothed her, holding her head to his chest.
The Flores family, including aunts, uncles and cousins, had been eating together about 3:45 p.m. Monday when Erika's uncle, 21-year-old Ivan Flores of Oxnard, went outside to move his truck from the driveway to the street. The family typically keeps the driveway clear so the children have room to play.
Unbeknownst to the family, Erika had left the dining room table to go outside. Her uncle did not see her as he backed up his Chevrolet Silverado, police said.
Erika's father, Carlos Alberto Flores, 34, rushed to hold his daughter and immediately called 911. Emergency workers took the little girl to St. John's Regional Medical Center, where she died at 4:10 p.m. from head injuries.
Her uncle was not arrested, police said, although the matter remains under investigation by the Oxnard Police Department's traffic division.
Erika's family described her as a happy and kindhearted child who chatted in Spanish and would have turned 3 in January. Spanish is the main language spoken in the home.
" We are suffering through the worst in life," said Erika's grandfather, Roberto Flores Barajas, who held Erika's 1-year-old brother, Alex, as the little boy squirmed to get down. Instead of putting the child down, Flores Barajas handed the baby to another family member.
Erika's relatives said they hope other parents can learn from their tragedy to always keep a close eye on children and to slow down on residential streets where children play.
" What happened to us could have happened to anyone," said Erika's uncle Roberto Gutierrez.
Children are struck by cars backing up about once every year in Ventura County, said James Baroni, chief deputy medical examiner. There have been eight such cases since 1997, he said.
Parents can use safety tools, such as child locks, to make sure children can't leave a house easily and don't wander outside or near the street, said Randy Latimer, traffic coordinator for the Oxnard Police Department.
Drivers also need to always watch what is behind them, especially when driving oversized vehicles and backing up, Latimer said.
" Be mindful that children do use the sidewalk to play, and there is potential for a small child to be behind you when you are backing up," he said. "Just take extra caution when you are backing up. Visually checking what's behind you is always the safest bet."
The Flores family has lived in Oxnard about 10 years. Besides her parents and little brother, Erika is survived by brother Jorge, 9, and sister Gaby, 7. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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