A community in Salinas is mourning the loss of 3-year-old Fermin Maldonado, who was killed in a hit-and-run crash Friday evening while crossing the street with his father. The boy’s father was also struck but is expected to survive. Moments before the tragedy, Fermin had gotten a haircut.
“He told his dad two times in Spanish that he looks gorgeous,” the barber recalled. That tender memory has now become one of the family’s final moments with the boy. Fermin’s mother, Martina Maldonado, is seven months pregnant and now faces the pain of losing her son while caring for her injured husband.
“I’m asking God a lot, I can’t sleep at night, that they get him and I get justice for my boy,” she said. The family had planned to return to Mexico permanently after Fermin’s fourth birthday next year. “My son turned three on June 8th. When he turned four, we were going to go back to Mexico together. I was not planning to stay here long,” Maldonado explained, Salinas NBC and ABC affiliate KSBW reported.
Police say surveillance footage has been collected from the scene, and investigators seized a red car believed to be involved. According to the family, authorities told them one man was inside the vehicle during the crash. “While they were crossing the crosswalk, the car sped through the red light and failed to stop,” a witness said. The driver dragged Fermin more than 600 feet before fleeing.
Local businesses have set up blue donation boxes to help cover medical bills and funeral costs. Meanwhile, a memorial of flowers and toys on East Alisal Street continues to grow, serving as a tribute to Fermin’s short life. Neighbors are also calling for increased safety measures at the intersection, saying the area is heavily used by families walking to nearby stores and schools.
As the investigation continues, relatives say their grief is compounded by the lack of accountability. “Our hearts are shattered after the tragic loss of little Fermin Maldonado, and any help would make a world of difference for our family,” said his aunt, Karina Soto. For now, the family clings to memories of a little boy who loved to smile, as they wait for answers and justice.