California Driver Accused of Running Over 6-Year-Old Bicyclist Twice After Stopping, Then Accelerating Again, Officials Say
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA — Charges are expected to be formally announced Tuesday against a California woman accused of killing a 6-year-old boy riding his bike on a sidewalk, then stopping for several seconds before accelerating and running over him again, according to police and witness accounts.
Child Struck While Riding With Family
The victim, Hudson O’Loughlin, was riding his bicycle alongside family members on the sidewalk in the Pacific Beach neighborhood at about 3:45 p.m. on Jan. 17, police said.
Hudson was crossing an alley along Pacific Beach Drive near Ingraham Street when a woman driving an SUV allegedly struck him, knocking him off his bike.
Witness Says Driver Stopped, Then Accelerated
According to police and a witness who was driving behind the suspect, the driver brought her vehicle to a stop after the initial impact — then accelerated rapidly, running over the child again.
“Right after she hit the kid, she ran over him twice,” witness David Morrow told KFMB. “Both wheels ran over the kid. She stopped right in front for about ten seconds, then she took off.”
The witness said he followed briefly to obtain the vehicle’s license plate number.
Suspect Arrested, Charges Filed
Police identified the driver as Tiffany Sanchez, 32. She was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence and hit-and-run causing death.
A spokesperson for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that formal charges have now been filed, and Sanchez is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.
“Ms. Sanchez bailed out of jail and has been given a date to return to court,” the spokesperson said. “Charges will be announced Tuesday.”
Family Says This Was “Not an Accident”
Hudson’s family launched a petition titled “Urge the County District Attorney: We Need Justice for Hudson”, demanding accountability after initial charging delays.
“This was not an accident,” Hudson’s aunt, Nicole O’Loughlin, wrote on Facebook. “After an initial collision that threw Hudson from his bike, the driver chose to accelerate instead of stopping to help, fatally running him over and then fleeing the scene.”
The petition states the driver was only arrested due to the vigilance of bystanders, calling the incident a clear disregard for human life.
Community Mourning a “Vibrant” Child
A GoFundMe created for the family describes Hudson as a “vibrant, deeply loved child” who loved science and brought joy to everyone around him.
“Hudson was a bright, curious young boy with his whole life ahead of him,” a family member wrote. “His death has shaken all of us.”
Hudson’s mother, Juliana Kapovich, has called for safer streets for cyclists and children, urging greater awareness of how quickly lives can be changed by reckless driving.
“I pray for awareness,” she wrote. “And I pray that people everywhere understand the impact their actions can have on the lives of others.”
Legal Process Moving Forward
Sanchez remains out on bail as the case proceeds. Prosecutors have not yet disclosed whether additional or upgraded charges will be pursued following Tuesday’s arraignment.
The case has drawn widespread attention in San Diego, intensifying conversations about pedestrian safety, driver accountability, and protections for children using sidewalks and bike paths.
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