5-year-old killed after being hit by car on US 89 identified


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NORTH SALT LAKE — A 5-year-old boy hit by a car while attempting to cross U.S. 89 has died.

Raymond Zalas was attempting to cross the busy five-lane road in the middle of the street, about a half-mile south of 2600 South where there is a crosswalk, at 4:45 p.m. Monday, said North Salt Lake Police Chief Craig Black. The speed limit at that part of the road is 45 mph.

The boy was flown to Primary Children's Hospital, where he died about 11 p.m.

The apartment complex where Raymond lives was on the other side of the street. Black said it was possible the boy had already crossed the road at least once safely. There are no fences or barriers between the road and the apartment complex.

Detectives did not know Tuesday where Raymond had been or why he was crossing the road. He was by himself and not with any friends prior to the accident, Black said.

There is a park across from the apartment complex and down the street, but police don't know if that's where he went.

Raymond's mother and some of his siblings were at the apartment when the accident occurred.

"All the mom says is she was doing cleaning, and her teenage son came in and said the little boy had been hit," Black said.

Investigators did not press the mother very hard with questions Monday about the last time she saw her son, Black noted, because she "was so distraught" that she "was passing out."

The driver who hit Raymond remained at the scene and cooperated with police. Black said neither speed, impairment nor distraction appear to be factors, and the driver was not cited.

"The driver just couldn't avoid hitting him," he said.

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Pat Reavy

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