A nine-year-old boy was killed and his five-year-old brother was injured when two police patrol cars that were allegedly speeding crashed into the motorcycles they were riding on while coming home from a football match.
The incident reportedly occurred in the town of Villa Fiorito, Argentina, on the morning of 6th November.
Tomas Yedro and his two younger brothers were joined by their cousin, Lucas Pogonza, as they returned home after watching the final match of the Copa Libertadores.
Tomas reportedly rode a motorcycle with nine-year-old Felipe Bautista Yedro sitting behind.
Their youngest brother, five-year-old Pedro, rode on the back of Lucas’ motorbike.
They had nearly reached their homes when a police car from the Buenos Aires Police, travelling down a dirt road, crossed “at full speed,” as neighbours claimed.
Just then, Lucas was passing by with his cousin Pedro.
The police car hit them and Pedro fell to the ground, while the motorcycle ended up in the middle of the road.
Tomas noticed he had lost sight of his cousin and his brother and drove back to see what had happened.
But as soon as they arrived at the scene, another patrol car apparently attempting to pass, accidentally struck Tomas and Felipe while they were still on their motorcycle.
The accident was witnessed by neighbours who immediately gathered around the police car and began arguing with the officers.
Video footage shows bystanders and witnesses clashing with the officers on the scene of the accident.
Tomas said: “It was at that moment that I felt the impact; the police car reversed, and I felt my brother detach, let go of me, and I saw him fall under the van. I got trapped; my bike saved me.”
Young Felipe was reportedly run over by the cop car and was killed on the spot.
He was urgently taken to the nearest hospital, but medics could only confirm his death.
His younger brother Pedro was also taken to hospital with multiple fractures and in critical condition.
The 21-year-old police officer driving the patrol car that caused Felipe’s death was arrested and charged with aggravated negligent homicide.
Another officer involved in the crash was charged with causing aggravated injury and is currently out on bail.
Meanwhile, prosecutors said they are also investigating the presence of the police cars in the area where Felipe died.
It was alleged that some of them “were not in their jurisdiction” and “were not on their regular working hours.”
Pedro’s uncle, Agustin Pogonza, said that the officers in the police vehicle tried to escape and began firing rubber bullets after the neighbours in the area noticed what had happened.
A female neighbour, who was not named, claimed that the patrol car “was driving very fast” and without sirens.
She said: “It fled; it was complete irresponsibility. The child was lying on the ground, and the car dragged him.
“It was terrible what happened; the police showed no mercy.”
The investigation is ongoing.
