An eight-year-old girl died after being struck by a vehicle Wednesday evening while attempting to cross a McFarland street on her bicycle, the McFarland Police Department said.
The crash occurred about 5:25 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, on Broadhead Street at North Peninsula Way, police said. Emergency crews began life-saving measures at the scene; the child, identified as Braeyla Marie Valenza, was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.
Roadway response and investigation
Broadhead Street between Holscher Road and County Highway was closed for several hours while officers and investigators worked at the scene, police said. The department described the crash as an active investigation and did not provide additional details about the vehicle, the driver or what led up to the collision.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Braeyla Marie Valenza, age 8 |
| Date and time | Wednesday, July 8, about 5:25 p.m. |
| Location | Broadhead Street at North Peninsula Way, McFarland |
| Street closure | Broadhead Street from Holscher Road to County Highway |
Community response
Members of the McFarland community held a vigil on Friday, July 10, to mourn and show support for Valenza’s family. Organizers encouraged those attending to use chalk to draw, write memories or leave messages for the family.
- Police status: Active investigation; no further details released.
- Community action: Vigil held Friday, July 10; attendees invited to leave chalk messages.
- Road impact: Broadhead Street closed for several hours during the investigation.
The McFarland Police Department has not released additional information about the circumstances that led to the crash, the condition of the vehicle's driver or whether any charges are expected. Police said they will update the public as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the McFarland Police Department. News Block will provide updates when more details are available from law enforcement.
This article will be updated as the McFarland Police Department releases more information.
