Oct 18, 2008 6:36 pm US/Central
Police And Family React To Fatal Bicycle Accident
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Ten year old Cole Berardi was about halfway between his home and a gas station where he liked to hang out when he was clipped by a police car Friday night.
Family members say he was an honor roll student at Kleburg Elementary in Dallas. They say he had a passion for taking things apart and cobbling them back together his way, especially his bikes.
"He really didn't care about the way it looked, but it worked just fine. That's my son. That's who I love. That's who'll be with me" said Cole's Stepfather Brett Inman.
At dusk last night Cole reportedly pulled his bike in front of a Dallas Police patrol car. Officers say Senior Cpl. Michael Vaughn was running from one disturbance call to provide backup for another one. He was not running with lights and sirens. Another squad car was following Vaughn. Both officers attempted CPR on Cole at the scene, but he died at Baylor University Medical Center.
The accident happened around 7:30 Friday evening, and witnesses disagree on exactly how dark it was. But, Cole was hit on a curve of a four lane stretch South Beltline Road that has no sidewalks and poor street lighting.
Dallas Police have sent the family their condolences. "It's a 10-year-old kid, it's a loss of life that can't be replaced, and to the parents in this situation all we can do is send our condolences to them, we're all extremely sorry" said police spokesman Lt. Vernon Hale.
Cole's family says their hearts go out to the officers as well. Pastor Ron Ward spoke on the family's behalf. "It was a tragic accident and we wish we could play the time back but we can't… We're just still walking in grief and we'd appreciate, again, the prayers of the community." A memorial fund for Cole has been set up at Grand Bank of Texas in Dallas.
Funeral Services have been set for Tuesday afternoon at New Hope Funeral Home. Visitation will be Monday night.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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