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A 16-year-old Salt Lake boy remains in critical condition following a motor scooter accident this afternoon. His friend, identified by family members as 13-year-old Kevin Carillo, was killed.
The accident happened just before 3 p.m. at the intersection of 500 South and 900 West. According to police, the boys were riding a motor scooter when it hit the side of a car. The impact threw them into the path of an oncoming van.
Carillo's mother, Magdelena Rodriquez, had to be helped from the scene of the accident. Her son had died in a motor scooter accident less than a block from their home. "He was only 13 years old. I loved him a lot. He was my oldest child," she said.
The motor scooter was driven by Carillo's 16-year-old friend, who was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Family say the two had been riding all week.
"That was a brand new scooter. They were just having fun," said Carillo's cousin, Julio Fuentes.
Lt. Brian Purvis of the Salt Lake City Police Department said, "According to witnesses, the scooter may not have stopped at the intersection, entered the intersection and apparently struck the side of a southbound vehicle."
The impact ejected the teenagers into the path of an oncoming van, which hit them. People nearby rushed to give first aid. Others went to get family.
Tonight at a memorial, cousins remembered the 13-year-old. Darleny Fuentes said, "He was amazing." Julio Fuentes said, "I wish for him to rest in peace."
They're also sending prayers to his 16-year-old friend, who is struggling to survive.
Darleny Fuentes said, "We couldn't save our cousin's life, maybe we can save his, because I know how his family is feeling right now; the same way as we are."
We talked to a handful of neighbors who would like to see a traffic signal put in at the intersection, which they say is dangerous. Police say they are not aware of previous problems there.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
