OPD Captain Raising Money For Family Of Toddler Killed By AC Transit Bus

OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- An Oakland police captain has started an online fundraiser for the family of a 2-year-old boy who was hit and killed by a public bus on Tuesday afternoon.

Acting Capt. Nishant Joshi, area commander for the district where the child was killed, posted the fundraiser Wednesday morning to raise funds for the family of Jeremiah Esera.

Jeremiah had chased a ball into 35th Avenue near Penniman Avenue shortly before 2 p.m. and was struck by an Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District bus, according to police.

Police responded within minutes, but Jeremiah was pronounced dead at the scene.

"As a parent myself, I cannot imagine the pain they are going through," Joshi said. "This family was already grieving the loss of another family member. This only compounded their pain."

As of Wednesday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised nearly $10,000. Joshi said the money will be used for whatever the family needs including expenses for the upcoming funeral, tentatively scheduled for Friday.

The bus driver involved in the incident has worked with AC Transit since 1999, district spokesman Robert Lyles said. The driver is cooperating with the police investigation, including undergoing drug and alcohol screening.

"Meanwhile, we have provided therapeutic counseling to the operator and staff members adversely affected by this truly tragic event," Lyles said in a statement.

Lyles said the incident involved bus Line 54. Some detours were necessary as 35th Avenue was shut down for the investigation.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act precludes AC Transit from releasing the names or conditions of individuals involved in active investigations, Lyles said.

The fundraiser for Jeremiah's family is available online.

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