The California Highway Patrol has arrested a man following an incident where he allegedly shot at a driver who had just struck and killed his 2-year-old son.
The child’s death was accidental, as the toddler ran into the path of an oncoming vehicle. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21st, on Hwy. 33, north of Crows Landing Road in Stanislaus County.
Emergency responders arrived to find the 2-year-old boy from Newman with severe injuries. He was transported to Doctors Medical Center, where he later passed away.
Authorities stated that the boy and his father, Elvis Zepeda, were standing on the west shoulder of SR-33 near a food truck when the child darted into the road. Zepeda chased after him, but the child was struck by a northbound BMW.
The BMW driver immediately stopped, prompting Zepeda to retrieve a handgun and fire multiple shots at the car, hitting its rear. The driver was unharmed and fled the scene.
Modesto CHP and the Stanislaus County Auto Theft Task Force gathered evidence and identified Zepeda as the shooter. He was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges including attempted murder, possession of an illegal firearm, and possession of a controlled substance.
The CHP thanked the Patterson Police Department and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department for their support, stating, “Together, we strive for a safer community.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by a family member to help cover the funeral costs for 2-year-old Benjamin Zepeda.
