No charges filed in crash that killed Pedro Del Real

Update: The Indio Police Department has completed its investigation into the death of 15-year-old Pedro Del Real, the boy who was hit and killed by a car while skateboarding near Indio Middle School last April.

Sgt. Dan Marshall said officers finalized the investigation on December 9 and decided not to file criminal charges against the driver that struck Del Real. Officers just released the updated information to News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 on January 28.

Del Real was hit by a dark-colored sedan on Miles Avenue, just west of Elm Street. Police said the driver remained on scene and cooperated with authorities.

Following the deadly collision in April, officials with the Indio Police Department said that alcohol was believed to be a factor in the crash. Indio police aren’t releasing the name, but they said that the driver always cooperated with the investigation.

“The report was finalized and the driver was issued a citation for driving without a license and failure to have proof of insurance in his possession at the time of the accident,” said Sgt. Dan Marshall.

Officers didn’t elaborate on what took so long to determine whether to file charges against the driver.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 spoke to the District Attorney’s Office on Friday morning and officials said they aren’t planning on pursuing any charges in the case.

Del Real was first taken to Desert Regional Medical Center following the crash and was later transferred to Loma Linda Children’s Hospital where he later died, according to officials.

He was removed from life support by his family about one week after the crash, his sister Mayra Del Real told KESQ and CBS Local 2.

Mayra told us her brother Pedro had just turned 15 years old and he was a student at Indio High School involved in the marching band, drama, track, cross country and he also volunteered for Dr. Raul Ruiz during his campaign.

Original Story:

An ongoing investigation continues into the death of a teenager who was hit by a car while skateboarding near Indio Middle School in April.

Pedro Del Real was removed from life support by his family about one week after the crash, his sister Mayra Del Real told KESQ and CBS Local 2.

Mayra told us her brother Pedro had just turned 15 years old and he was a student at Indio High School involved in the marching band, drama, track, cross country and he also volunteered for Dr. Raul Ruiz during his campaign.

Indio police continue to investigate the crash that occurred on Miles Avenue, west of Elm Street, saying a dark sedan was involved and the driver remained on scene and was cooperating with authorities.

Officials with the Indio Police Department said alcohol did appear to be a factor in the crash but no further information has been released regarding possible charges.

Sgt. Dan Marshall said the investigation is taking awhile because authorities are still waiting for the coroner’s report. He also said it’s not unusual for these types of investigations to take this long.

Del Real was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center and was later transferred to Loma Linda Medical Center where he was placed on life support for close to a week.

It’s unclear if Del Real was actually riding the skateboard at the time of the collision. Police also said they weren’t sure if he was in the cross walk at the time.

The family said Del Real was declared brain dead but they decided to donate his organs and he remained on life support for the process.

Del Real’s funeral service took place at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at Forest Lawn. The service was open to family and friends.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will post updates as soon as the investigation moves forward.