A father in Monterey County has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder after his 7-year-old daughter ran onto Highway 101 and was fatally struck by a vehicle.
Jermain Gonzalez, 42, of Prunedale, was arrested by California Highway Patrol officers following a three-month-long investigation into the tragic accident. Monterey County prosecutors have charged Gonzalez with second-degree murder and felony child endangerment, describing the case as “disturbing.”
The incident occurred on the night of April 7, when the girl left her father’s home near Highway 101 and ran onto the highway, according to the California Highway Patrol. She was fatally struck in the southbound lanes at 10:48 p.m.
Investigators revealed that the girl was on the autism spectrum and that this was not the first time she had run onto Highway 101. The California Highway Patrol stated, “The child lived with Gonzalez and was under his custody. Gonzalez was fully aware of his daughter’s strong propensity to elope. Despite this knowledge, Gonzalez failed to provide essential safety and security measures for his child. Furthermore, he knowingly and willingly displayed negligence, endangering the child over an extended period, which ultimately led to the death of his daughter.”
Family members identified the deceased child as 7-year-old Eliana. Disturbingly, just three weeks prior to her death, she had been rescued by California Highway Patrol officers after being found running on Highway 101 late at night.
This tragic incident underscores the vital importance of responsible caregiving, especially for children with special needs, and the severe consequences that can arise from negligence.