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Driver sought in hit-and-run death of toddler
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Napa Police officers continue to look for the driver of a car suspected of Saturday’s fatal hit-and-run that cost the life of 2 1/2 year-old Mattea Reynolds, police said Sunday.
The child, who was found unconscious along a curb on Old Sonoma Road near Juvenile Hall, died from her injuries at Queen of the Valley Medical Center Saturday morning.
The child, who was found unconscious along a curb on Old Sonoma Road near Juvenile Hall, died from her injuries at Queen of the Valley Medical Center Saturday morning.
A witness, a driver, who was westbound on Old Sonoma Road and saw Mattea walk alone at 5:15 a.m., has been found, Cmdr. Andy Lewis said Sunday.
The witness, whose name was not released, saw a car driving eastbound on Old Sonoma Road — a 1980s four-door American-made sedan with chrome side trim, Lewis said.
The witness, whose name was not released, saw a car driving eastbound on Old Sonoma Road — a 1980s four-door American-made sedan with chrome side trim, Lewis said.
“It’s a car of interest,” he said.
The search continues for other witnesses as well, Lewis said, including a pedestrian who alerted a Juvenile Hall employee on her way to work after seeing Mattea walking alone on Old Sonoma Road near Juvenile Hall.
The search continues for other witnesses as well, Lewis said, including a pedestrian who alerted a Juvenile Hall employee on her way to work after seeing Mattea walking alone on Old Sonoma Road near Juvenile Hall.
Police said the Hispanic woman wore a navy blue or black windbreaker, and dark pants, and carried a lunch box or bag.
Lewis could not say why the witnesses did not prevent Mattea from walking on the road.
“That’s a good question,” he said.
Betty Reynolds, the victim’s grandmother, lived with Mattea and other relatives in an apartment near Juvenile Hall. Reynolds reported the child missing at approximately 5:30 a.m., according to police.
Police officers were responding to the call just as the Juvenile Hall worker headed to work.
The Juvenile Hall employee found the girl lying unconscious near a south curb of Old Sonoma Road, directly across the street from Juvenile Hall, and carried her across the street. The employee and emergency workers attempted first aid; the child was then transported by Piner ambulance to the hospital.
Lewis declined to say where the child’s mother was early Saturday morning. He also declined to say if the apartment’s front door was locked.
The big question is why the child left home alone early Saturday morning, Lewis said.
“We’re looking at the dynamics of that particular household,” he said.
On Sunday, Reynolds’ husband, Ron Fryer, said Mattea was a very bright child who could have opened the front door.
“We locked the door,” he said, referring to the apartment’s front door.
The child’s mother, Jolene Reynolds, was not home when Fryer and his wife realized that Mattea was missing, Fryer added.
Betty Reynolds said on Saturday evening she called police after she got up to go to the bathroom, saw the lights on, and could not find Mattea home. Fryer said they found the front door unlocked.
In the meantime, neighbors and others continued to leave flowers, candles and messages in Mattea memory near the curb where the child was found unconscious early Saturday morning.
Arrangements for a memorial are pending.
Lewis could not say why the witnesses did not prevent Mattea from walking on the road.
“That’s a good question,” he said.
Betty Reynolds, the victim’s grandmother, lived with Mattea and other relatives in an apartment near Juvenile Hall. Reynolds reported the child missing at approximately 5:30 a.m., according to police.
Police officers were responding to the call just as the Juvenile Hall worker headed to work.
The Juvenile Hall employee found the girl lying unconscious near a south curb of Old Sonoma Road, directly across the street from Juvenile Hall, and carried her across the street. The employee and emergency workers attempted first aid; the child was then transported by Piner ambulance to the hospital.
Lewis declined to say where the child’s mother was early Saturday morning. He also declined to say if the apartment’s front door was locked.
The big question is why the child left home alone early Saturday morning, Lewis said.
“We’re looking at the dynamics of that particular household,” he said.
On Sunday, Reynolds’ husband, Ron Fryer, said Mattea was a very bright child who could have opened the front door.
“We locked the door,” he said, referring to the apartment’s front door.
The child’s mother, Jolene Reynolds, was not home when Fryer and his wife realized that Mattea was missing, Fryer added.
Betty Reynolds said on Saturday evening she called police after she got up to go to the bathroom, saw the lights on, and could not find Mattea home. Fryer said they found the front door unlocked.
In the meantime, neighbors and others continued to leave flowers, candles and messages in Mattea memory near the curb where the child was found unconscious early Saturday morning.
Arrangements for a memorial are pending.
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Napa wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:53 AM:
are with the family, and a special God given prayer for the Napa police that that God will grant them wisdom and direction to find the driver. No one wins in a loss like this. Only pain and suffering prevail. "
Napa wrote on Jun 2, 2008 4:02 AM:
hudds5 wrote on Jun 2, 2008 6:23 AM:
kbf wrote on Jun 2, 2008 6:38 AM:
richaelsmommie wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:26 AM:
wonmore wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:28 AM:
wrongsideofthetrax wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:53 AM:
Dutchgirl wrote on Jun 2, 2008 9:32 AM:
I most certainly would have stayed with that little girl if I had been the person that saw her wonder around alone.
What possessed those 2 people who saw before she was hit, to just continue on without staying with the child and calling police or at least not leave her there alone...Unbelievable! "
NapaNana wrote on Jun 2, 2008 9:33 AM:
I saw Mr. Mitchell on T.V. this morning. I remember meeting him and his wife and daughter in Walmart one day. Mattea started a conversation with my G-daughter. Her parents and I talked a little about smart spunky little girls out for adventure. They were a very happy loving family. The pride for his daughter sparkled in her fathers eyes.
I f any of you think that a 2 1/2 year old can't possibly figure out how to un-lock a door and escape.....get your heads out form under that blanket and wake up!
In 1960, a 2 1/2 year old girl escaped from her backyard. Mind you these were 6 ft. fences....locked gate. Her mom let her go out..checked on her...then she was GONE! As mom was calling for her, her grandmother got a phone call. She was found on HWY 37 and Broadway in Vallejo. She was almost ran over by a truck! I will always remember the sound of the screeching tires and the look on that poor mans face as he scooped ME up out of the HWY and ran to the side of the road with me to the gas station. They knew who I was....because I had escaped before! I remember how hard it was to get over the fence...but believe me there are ways...and I found them.
Today I cried for this family...for the loss of such a beautiful child. She stamped a memory on my heart in just the brief time I talked with her. Hugs and loves to you Mom and Dad.
Rest in Peace sweet Angel....... "
JCampbell wrote on Jun 2, 2008 10:02 AM:
My heart breaks for this family. The what if's will live on in ther minds forever. Sadly children, no matter how loved and protected, can put themselves in harms way. Having children of my own I have always tried to protect them as much as I can. Always knowing the reality is that you can't always protect them no matter how much you want to.
My prayers and thoughts go out to all of those involved in this tragedy. "
cathyodom wrote on Jun 2, 2008 10:21 AM:
hayleybayley wrote on Jun 2, 2008 10:34 AM:
skiph wrote on Jun 2, 2008 10:36 AM:
My main question is with the Hispanic woman who alerted Juvenile Hall to the situation, but couldn't go out there and grab the kid. All adults are considered "parents" in a situation like that. You have to look out for your fellow human....what gives? "
mytwocents wrote on Jun 2, 2008 10:40 AM:
sammy wrote on Jun 2, 2008 10:55 AM:
upvalley wrote on Jun 2, 2008 11:31 AM:
vocal-de-local wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:01 PM:
Also, maybe the child was on the side of the road at that point and the woman thought she was out of danger.
But another thing to consider is that in some South of the Border countries, children walk the streets at all ages. I've visited many Southern Countries and the people are much less protective of their children than we are. This woman, on some level, may have not responded out of fear, or because she wasn't certain whether or not this was a cultural norm. Or maybe she felt it was not really any of her business and left it up to someone else to deal with.
It's not fair to blame her. In fact it's not fair to blame anyone really, not even the driver. You do not expect a toddler to run out in the street at that time in the morning. I do blame the driver for the hit and RUN though. But I doubt the driver was at fault unless he was under the influence of a substance.
This is just one of those terribly unfortunate situations. If the driver had stopped, it's doubtful anyone would be blaming him right now. "
Straight Talk wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:04 PM:
I'm afraid if we do not do something to slow traffic in this area another child and family will suffer the same tragedy.
I don't live in this area... so maybe it's not a good idea. Just curious to hear from people who live near and travel that road. "
Dutchgirl wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:15 PM:
sammy wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:16 PM:
NapaNana wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:24 PM:
sammy wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:27 PM:
hawkeye wrote on Jun 2, 2008 1:00 PM:
cathyodom wrote on Jun 2, 2008 1:14 PM:
born&raisedhere wrote on Jun 2, 2008 1:43 PM:
I send Mattea's family my most heart-felt condolences.
Something is terribly wrong in this town with the number of children being struck by hit and run vehicles. "
starling wrote on Jun 2, 2008 1:45 PM:
Napachild wrote on Jun 2, 2008 2:01 PM:
Mr_Napa wrote on Jun 2, 2008 2:17 PM:
mytwocents wrote on Jun 2, 2008 2:28 PM:
tvchick wrote on Jun 2, 2008 3:01 PM:
napaao wrote on Jun 2, 2008 3:39 PM:
napak wrote on Jun 2, 2008 4:17 PM:
Skip M. wrote on Jun 2, 2008 4:23 PM:
I don’t know any more facts than anyone else in this forum. But based on the facts I do know, this would be my SPECULATION. "
Jenny wrote on Jun 2, 2008 4:33 PM:
pianocrazee wrote on Jun 2, 2008 5:22 PM:
Dirty Napkin wrote on Jun 2, 2008 6:30 PM:
Suze wrote on Jun 2, 2008 6:34 PM:
1969 wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:27 PM:
Napachild wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:43 PM:
NapaCA wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:59 PM:
On May 6 it was reported that during a DUI checkpoint, of 35 citations issued, 26 were for suspended license or the complete absence of one.
~~That’s 75% of all citations awarded.~~ Does anyone but me view this as a huge problem?
If we extrapolate this figure to the driving population of Napa, the number is staggering.
Let’s connect the dots… These are people already in violation of the law. When it comes to an accident, why would we expect that they would ‘do the right thing’ and stop? Furthermore, it is doubtful that the vehicle they are driving illegally is insured, another violation of the law.
Given two Hit and Runs in as many days, law enforcement should focus its effort on getting illegal drivers off the streets. And why wait for a DUI checkpoint…what harm is there in a few random ‘legally licensed to drive’ checkpoints?
Given the tragedy of late, this goes beyond protecting our youth. It speaks to those of us who are law-obeying, tax-paying citizens at risk on the road with those who flagrantly disobey the basic requirements required to exercise the ‘privilege’ of driving a vehicle. "
mytwocents wrote on Jun 2, 2008 9:54 PM:
napathoughts wrote on Jun 2, 2008 10:36 PM:
Just earlier this year a women who picked up three kids walking to school on the freeway was apprehended, then questioned by police for having done her good deed. This paper reported that the officer told her she should not have done what she did.
You lose with what ever right path you choose some times. "
wheezygirl wrote on Jun 2, 2008 11:49 PM:
MOM67 wrote on Jun 3, 2008 12:09 AM:
rebeldog wrote on Jun 3, 2008 2:08 AM:
The first thing I thought was oh great, I get a chance to be branded a child molester for the rest of my life and destroy my family. If fate smiled on me, I may get off just getting tazered by the police for in their minds kidnapping or molesting the girl. God help me if the parents not wanting to admit their shortcomings reported her kidnapped and Amber Alerts were flying around. If that was the case it would come down to whether or not I had the fortitude to fight back at the cops who were bent on proving themselves by taking down Napa’s number one criminal. If I was lucky enough to fend off their shotgun tactics by using her as a human shield long enough for some real law enforcement to show up and allow me to surrender, I could at least survive the ordeal long enough to say goodbye to my family during the long court case and sitting on death row.
Of everyone I talked too, the only solutions we could come up with was setting a fire so that the fire department would show up and find the girl, or my solution of setting flares in the road, calling 911 on my cell phone in the hope of it being an alibi for the court date that I know I will have, writing please don’t kill me all over my shirt, and refusing to take my hands off my head so the police will have a harder time in justifying killing me for attempted murder and kidnapping. "
matt@newspeak wrote on Jun 3, 2008 8:26 AM:
The first chance to do the right thing has passed, but there is still time to do something right now and begin healing what has happened. That you are scared is understandable, but the sooner you come forward, the easier it will be for the family, the community and yourself. Do it today.
The rest of us can draw a lesson too. We are all guilty at times of driving just a bit too fast, or aggressively, or while distracted. Operating a vehicle is the most dangerous thing most of us do all day.
A vehicle can neither stop or swerve as effectively as many drivers imagine it can, especially at high speeds. Let's all slow down- drive the posted limit. If a driver can't see the license plate and/or rear tries of the car in front of him/her- they're too close. Physics dictates he/she won't be able to stop in time if the car in front has to stop. Expect people to do what they're not supposed to do. Defensive driving is not about what's 'right' its about looking out for people not being where they're expected- setting indigantion aside and protecting yourself and others. Other drivers run stop signs and red lights and change lanes unexpectedly- and sometimes children may have wandered away from safety- as in this tragic case.
God bless Mattea and comfort her family. At these sad times, Rev. 21:4 comes to my mind: "He shall wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain..." "
cathyodom wrote on Jun 3, 2008 9:12 AM:
mardog wrote on Jun 3, 2008 11:14 AM:
Gator wrote on Jun 3, 2008 11:33 AM:
Please stop accusing "Mexicans" because some feel that they ALL drive illegally. There are more than a few "Americans" out there driving illegal. I think that everyone is just so freaked out by this whole thing that they have to point fingers where ever they can. "
NapaCA wrote on Jun 3, 2008 12:03 PM:
Your question: What can we do as a community to keep one another and our children safe ?
It is a sad fact that tragic events do and will continue to occur. I think the better question is what could have been done to mitigate this tragedy? If the driver had the decency to stop and assist the child, we are left to wonder if reacting humanely in the crucial minutes after the accident would would have contributed to saving her life.
Accidents will happen, even against our greatest efforts to prevent them. It's how we respond to them that separates us as individuals. "
wtrfwlr wrote on Jun 3, 2008 12:05 PM:
Skip M. wrote on Jun 3, 2008 1:36 PM:
kdbk wrote on Jun 4, 2008 10:17 PM:
Are you just aimlessly driving down the road at 5am? Would you really have that hard of a time telling the police that you are on the way to work/the market/the hospital etc. and that you stopped to help a kid? Do you look scarry or something. Do you drive a retired hearse? Are you scarred of black kitty cats and thunder too? Puleeeeze.
Men and women have sacrificed greatly throughout the ages to help save others. And yes, I understand the crazy world we live in today, of course. But when an adult is too afraid to stop and help a kid survive, then they have truly gone around the bend.
Heroes are HEROES BECAUSE THEY'VE RISKED SOMETHING TO HELP ANOTHER! It isn't supposed to be cheap and easy! "
starling wrote on Jun 5, 2008 3:38 AM:
cellsitegod wrote on Jun 5, 2008 5:33 AM:
It's now 5:20 am the visibility is limited but not dark. There has been plenty of attention on this accident and I'm sure everyone in that neighborhood knows about it. Hitting that poor girl was an accident. But, why has not someone come forward? That is a crime!
Or, has the person not come forward because they have other reasons for not wanting to be found? Like the girl that was hit on her bicycle a while back? "
mytwocents wrote on Jun 6, 2008 11:45 AM:
pianocrazee wrote on Jun 6, 2008 5:25 PM:
I definitely agree... Just today i saw
a white 80s cutlass with some minor damage--but i don't think a child could do any sort of damage to a steel car--which is frustrating because what evidence is there? The only evidence I can think of would be any blood that may have gotten on the car... but the longer you wait, the less evidence there is.. it's so frustrating that it brings me to tears to know that whoever hit her is driving aroud still, I'm sure, and obviously they're conscience is clear because if it were me--under any influence, under any circumstance possible, I would stop if I hit a child--for God's sake I'd stop even for a squirrel... I'm just ...disgusted with the situation. "
wheezygirl wrote on Jun 9, 2008 8:18 AM:
AMAZGRL wrote on Jun 16, 2008 11:58 AM:
greeneyes18 wrote on Jun 23, 2008 6:11 PM: