Onalaska child dies in bike crash
Polk County Enterprise - January 2009

ONALASKA – A 13-yearold Onalaska Junior High School student died from injuries sustained when the bicycle he was riding collided with a van. Onalaska Police Chief Ron Gilbert reported that emergency workers were already on the scene at FM 3459 when police arrived and a group of emergency workers lifted the van to remove Ryan Garrido from underneath. First responders from the Onalaska Volunteer Fire Department decided Garrido’s injuries were too serious to wait for heavy equipment to lift the vehicle so Fire Chief Roy Newport, Gilbert, Kenny Sheffi eld, Royce Newport and Sammy Weese lifted the van with their hands while James Arnett slid Garrido from under the vehicle. Garrido was taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center–Livingston in critical condition. Staff from Texas Children’s Hospital took the youth to Texas Children’s Hospital where he died some time later. Gilbert said that fog may have been a factor in the accident and characterized it as a tragic accident. A prayer vigil was held Friday evening at Revival Center Church of God in Onalaska. More than 150 of Garrido’s fellow students attended. School officials said counselors will be available Monday to help students and staff cope with the tragic loss.