Traffic Kills 1 Boy; 2nd Badly Hurt

A 9-year-old boy was killed and a 4-year-old critically injured in separate accidents late Tuesday and Wednesday, both caused when the children ran into the street in front of vehicles, police said.

Elias Hernandez, 9, of Garden Grove was crossing Lampson Avenue a few blocks from home at 9:55 p.m. Tuesday when he was struck by a van traveling north on Brookhurst Street.

Hernandez was taken to Garden Grove Hospital and Medical Center, where he died upon arrival, Lt. John Woods said.

In Costa Mesa, a 4-year-old boy was in critical condition late Wednesday after a truck struck him as he ran into the street, police said.

David Belmonte was running across the street in front of his home on Monrovia Avenue south of 19th Street when the accident occurred, Officer Dave Andersen said. Belmonte was being treated for a concussion at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, police said.

Neither driver was cited.