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DPD Officer Who Hit Boy Was Driving 67 MPH At Time

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Oct 20, 2008 11:59 pm US/Central

DPD Officer Who Hit Boy Was Driving 67 MPH At Time

Compiled from staff reports
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― A Dallas family is saying goodbye to a 10 year old boy who was accidentally struck and killed by a Dallas Police officer.  

Cole Berardi was struck and killed while riding his bike on a stretch of Beltline Road around 7:30 Friday evening.

"He was so important to us and we love him so much," said his aunt, Eva Havens.

The family wonders if the poor road conditions were a factor.  "There are curves and hills," said Havens, "and you can't see until you're right on it."

There is no sidewalk along the street.  And the street lights were not working that night, although Oncor Electric Delivery crews repaired them today.

Monday afternoon Dallas Police confirmed that the officer who struck Cole, Senior Corporal Michael Vaughn, was driving 67 miles per hour at the time of the crash.  The speed limit at that point is 40.  Police say Vaughn was on his way to assist another officer with a call.  But the lights and sirens on his car were not active when he hit Cole.

Today, Cole's family and friends visited the growing roadside memorial to him. Justen Solis was in Cole's class at school and says he will miss him.  "He was my friend," Justen said.  "He was a good student and liked to draw."

Tonight a candlelight vigil will be held for Cole Berardi.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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