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Family of boy killed in crash in Atascadero seeking assistance

March 16, 2025

José Gutiérrez

By KAREN VELIE

The family of an 11-year-old boy killed in a hit-and-run crash in Atascadero on Friday is seeking financial assistance to take their son’s body to Mexico.

After school on Friday, José Gutiérrez was walking home on the 1080 block of El Camino Real when a truck drove onto the sidewalk and hit him, police said. The driver then fled the scene.

José Gutiérrez died at the scene.

His family posted a GoFundMe page on Saturday seeking help with expenses. The page has raised $21,492 as of Sunday afternoon.

“Hello, the Gutiérrez Orozco family, we are raising funds for our late son, who was injured in an accident yesterday afternoon,” according to the GoFundMe page. “He will be transported to Mexico, which is the cost. Anything you would like to donate will be a huge help.¡ Thank you! God will reward you!”

On Friday evening, Atascadero police officers arrested the driver of the truck, 31-year-old Zachary Bernal. He was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on charges of vehicular manslaughter, narcotics possession, under the influence of a controlled substance, and hit-and-run resulting in death.

He remains in jail with his bail set at $1 million.

 


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I am so sorry for your loss, this is tragic. I hope they get a good Atascadero Personal Injury Attorney to go after the other family and make them financially responsible for this tragic loss. Thankfully the DA is on top of the prosecution.


1

My heart is broken for his family! I have grandsons’ this age, I can not imagine! Please prosecute this murderer to the fullest extent! Why does a child have to pay the price for some guy, getting high and losing his abilities? Devastating! There should be zero Bail! Zero!! He gave up his freedom when he chose to get high and drive!


12

I’m embarrassed I read that. How dare YOU decide where someone is laid to rest for all of human history. If you don’t want to contribute, move on. It’s interesting that we can deport the people working, but the dead can’t have a funeral with dignity. You realize those crosses on the side of the road are where someone was killed, NOT buried, right?


2

I’ll be buried and will bury my loved ones damn well where I please. It’s a voluntary donation, not a “cost to others”. Don’t be so dense.


4

No parent should ever have to bury their child. RIP little man.


[Also per GoFundMe, donations are no longer being requested; I assume José’s burial/transportation costs have been covered.]


21

Very tragic. Condolences to the Gutierrez Family. ♥


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