Community in Mourning After Child Killed in Crosswalk Incident
BOISE, ID — An 8-year-old girl, Mora Gerety, was struck and killed while walking near Washington Elementary School on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The tragedy occurred at the intersection of Harrison Boulevard and West Ada Street in Boise’s North End just before 4:45 p.m.
Boise Police confirmed that the driver of the pickup truck, Elvin Ramos-Caballero, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to an outstanding federal immigration warrant. According to authorities, Ramos-Caballero remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. His warrant involved failure to appear for a federal immigration hearing.
Driver in Custody Had Outstanding Federal Immigration Warrant
Ramos-Caballero, who was living in the U.S. illegally, was arrested by ICE agents during the investigation. Despite staying at the scene and assisting law enforcement, his legal status and outstanding warrant prompted immediate federal involvement.
Authorities say the crash happened when both the driver and the child entered the intersection simultaneously. The driver was attempting a right-hand turn onto Harrison Boulevard while traffic on the main road was backed up. The child was walking on the sidewalk before the collision occurred.
Cause of Death: Blunt Force Trauma
Paramedics transported Mora to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead from multiple blunt force injuries. The Ada County Coroner ruled her death an accident, though the community is raising serious questions about immigration enforcement and neighborhood safety.
Local Outrage and Calls for Accountability
Boise residents have expressed grief and frustration over the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. The fact that the driver was in the country illegally and had an unresolved federal warrant has intensified public concern.
“This little girl would still be alive if immigration laws were enforced,” one local parent stated. Others are calling for greater enforcement of crosswalk safety and stricter cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Representative Russ Fulcher offered condolences and asked Idahoans to keep the family in their prayers. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean also issued a statement, pledging to improve safety on city streets, though some residents questioned her commitment to immigration enforcement.
School and Community Respond
The Boise School District confirmed that Mora was a student at Washington Elementary School, located just blocks from where the crash occurred. In a statement, the district said:
“Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and the entire Washington community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Grief counselors and crisis teams have been deployed to the school to support staff and students. A growing memorial now stands at the crash site, covered in flowers, drawings, and messages from classmates and community members.
Safety and Immigration Enforcement Under Scrutiny
Residents of the North End say Harrison Boulevard has long been a dangerous area for pedestrians. Some are calling for additional stop signs, speed enforcement, and safer crossings.
Others argue this tragedy underscores a broader failure to remove individuals with active federal warrants from the streets. Immigration enforcement, community safety, and border policy are expected to become renewed points of discussion across Idaho in the wake of Mora’s death.
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
About the Author
