SAN ANTONIO – The death of Brandon Castillo, 7, left counselors at Olmos Elementary with a difficult subject to tackle first thing Tuesday morning. They helped classmates of the second grader cope with the shocking news.
"We talked to the children, gave them an opportunity to let their feelings out, gave them an outlet,” said Mary Martinez. “And we pulled aside children that are, maybe, crying a little more than others."
Castillo was run over by a car and killed Monday night at the apartment complex where he lived with his family, in the 900 block of Allena.
San Antonio police said the driver who hit the boy said he darted out in front of his car, leaving him no time to stop.
That driver stopped to render aid at the scene and was not facing any charges, a police report stated.
By morning, the area where Castillo was run over had become a memorial. Cards, flowers and candles were left in his memory by friends and neighbors.
The apartment complex is steps away from Olmos Elementary.
Cristina Yanez, Castillo’s former teacher, said the loss is being felt throughout the school community.
"Brandon was a pleasure to have in class. He was a very hard worker. He was very eager to please. He brought a strong positive energy to the classroom," Yanez said. "He's going to be greatly missed, and our prayers go out to the family."
Relatives, meanwhile, were having trouble coping, too. They were too distraught to speak about the boy’s death.
A family friend, however, did speak out about people who she said drive through the apartment complex too quickly.
The unidentified woman said Castillo’s death highlights the need for speed bumps to be installed on the property.