The driver of a pickup truck who moved to avoid hitting an animal in the street instead struck and killed a 10-year-old boy, prompting the closure of a stretch of Del Amo Boulevard for more than six hours before it reopened Wednesday morning.
Police responded about 9 p.m. Tuesday to a traffic accident in the 2300 block of Del Amo Boulevard, near Crenshaw Boulevard, and located the boy, who had suffered major injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Torrance Fire Department personnel, according to Sgt. Ronald Harris of the Torrance Police Department.
A preliminary investigation determined the driver of a 2018 black Ford pickup was traveling eastbound in the 2300 block of Del Amo Boulevard when he attempted to avoid hitting a dog in the street,striking the boy, Harris said. It was unclear if the dog was hurt.
Neither the driver, identified only as a 58-year-old man from Los Angeles, or his passenger were injured, Harris said.
Neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to be factors in the crash.
Traffic in both directions on Del Amo Boulevard was blocked between Crenshaw Boulevard and Van Ness Avenue until about 3:20 a.m. before the street was reopened.
Anyone who witnessed the crash was asked to call the Torrance Police Department at (310) 618-5557.