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Uncle Arrested At Vigil For 9-Year-Old

David Kraut / News Channel 8

David Bernier was arrested Tuesday night at a candlelight vigil for his nephew Carlos Ramirez Jr.

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: December 12, 2007

Updated: 12/12/2007 09:34 pm

TAMPA - The family of a 9-year-old boy who died after being struck by a car sought petition signatures for speed bumps on Flora Street while holding another vigil Wednesday.

Carlos Ramirez Jr. was riding his bicycle when he was hit just before 5 p.m. Sunday at the corner of Flora Street and Thatcher Avenue. His family said he was dragged 78 feet by a car that had been speeding. The boy died Monday at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.

Carlos Ramirez Jr., 9

The driver, Kevin Custodio II, 19, has not been charged. Officials said the boy turned onto Flora Street as Custodio, who was heading west, swerved but still hit him.

On Tuesday, the family held a vigil that resulted in a confrontation with a driver who they say was speeding.

David Bernier, the boy's uncle, was arrested after the confrontation at the site of the accident. Bernier, 38, of 9320 Greystone Road, Thonotosassa, was charged with obstructing or opposing an officer after he got into an argument.

On Wednesday, Krystal Bernier said she gathered speed bump petitions Tuesday and was to continue Wednesday night at a vigil as the family prepared for her little brother's funeral. Carlos was a student at Crestwood Elementary.

"I lost my son and I don't want anyone else to lose their kid," said Jeannie Garrick, the mother of Carlos Ramirez Jr. "I don't want people to go through what I'm going through. I have to put my son in a grave on Friday. My son was supposed to put me in the grave."

Friends and family have left cards and posters at the site where Carlos died.

Krystal Bernier, 17, said cars continue to speed. In fact, she said, cars were speeding during Tuesday night's vigil.

"They almost hit me," Bernier said. "That's why my uncle got arrested – defending me. We are trying to slow people down. We can't do it by ourselves."

News Channel 8 Photographer David Kraut contributed to this report. Reporter Chris Echegaray can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or cechegaray@tampatrib.com.

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