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Charges: assault with a deadly weapon and vehicular manslaughter as one of the three children was removed from life support and passed away

Ray Shaqil Reeves arrest and bail information. Source: Contra Costa Superior Court

By Allen D. Payton

On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, 29-year-old Ray Shaqil Reeves, was arrested in Oakley by Antioch Police officers for causing the accident that struck and injured three 12-year-old siblings, a girl and two boys, on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, as they were walking home from school in Antioch. All three children were transported to hospitals and one of the boys was later removed from life support and passed away. (See related articles here and here)

Reeves caused the accident that resulted in the injuries. As previously reported, according to witnesses a red Chevrolet Impala struck a tan Mercury Mystique in the area of Sycamore Drive and Manzanita Way, forcing the Impala in the direction of the juveniles walking on the southwest corner of Sycamore Drive and Manzanita way.

According to witness statements, the Mercury Mystique was traveling westbound on Sycamore Drive and was waiting for traffic to clear before turning left (southbound) onto Manzanita Way. Simultaneously, the Chevrolet Impala exited Sycamore Square onto westbound Sycamore Drive at a high rate of speed. As the Impala approached the Mercury, the Impala attempted to pass the Mercury on the left just as the Mercury began to make the left-hand turn. Regrettably, the result was the Impala colliding into the Mercury, propelling the Impala in the direction of the juveniles reportedly walking home from school.

He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for violation of the following California Penal Code Sections: PC 192 (c)(1)-Vehicular Manslaughter, PC 245(a)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon, PC 245(a)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon, PC 245(a)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon, PC 245(a)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and PC 245(a)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

UPDATE: His bail has been set at $390,000 and arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 1:30 p.m.

Charges filed against Ray Shaqil Reeves. Source: Contra Costa Superior Court

The Antioch Police Department thanked “the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for hearing this case and filing charges against Reeves.”

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of the children and pray for the family and loved ones during this time of grief. Words fall short of expressing our sorrow for the victims of this extremely tragic incident,” the APD shared in their press release about the arrest.

Upper left photo (l-r): Siblings Mason Hanlin, Gianathon Vincent. Upper center: Mason. Upper right: Gianathon. Lower left: Mason,  Gianathon and Cheyenne. Lower right: Cheyenne Comfort. Photos provided by the family.

Family provides update

By Allen D. Payton

Cheyenne Comfort and Mason Hanlin, two of the three 12-year-old children, who along with their cousin, Gianathon Vincent, were stuck by a car as they walked home from school on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, are recovering from their injuries. (See related article)

Gianathon was later removed from life support and passed away, according to a KTVU Fox2 news report.

An update was provided Monday evening on the surviving siblings by their great aunt, Veronica Finley.

“Mason requires a wheelchair following the needed surgery to try and repair the damage done to his right leg that is now casted from his hip to his foot,” she shared. “He also underwent skin grafts needed to repair the damage to his face.”

“Cheyenne also relies on a wheelchair and use of a walker but struggles and needs assistance due to fractures to her hip and pelvis,” Finley continued. “The bleeding in her brain seems to have stopped, and her skull fracture is healing but suffers from severe headaches.”

“They have begun therapy for their injuries but it’s too soon to tell their prognosis or any other damage the accident may have caused,” she explained. “Psychologically, they are extremely traumatized by the death of their brother, the pain they are having to endure and this entire experience. They’ve also begun therapy to try to help them cope and deal with this life changing incident and all of this, as best as they can.”

“As soon as I have more information on Gianathon’s celebration of life I will let you know,” Finley added.

The Comfort-Hanlin-Vincent family, including (l-r) Mason Hanlin, Cheyenne Comfort, mother, Jami Hanlin, father, Johnny Comfort and Gianathon Vincent, with the two younger children. Source: GoFundMe

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family to help with expenses. The goal is $70,000 and as of Monday, Oct. 10th, the effort is more than half way to the goal. https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-devastated-by-children-being-hit-by-car

A 12-year-old girl, two 12-year-old boys, one driver taken to local area hospitals; the girl and one of the boys are improving, the other boy is on life support, family member shares

By Antioch Police Department

On Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at approximately 3:20 PM, the Antioch Police Department Dispatch began to receive numerous reports of a major injury collision in which three juvenile pedestrians were struck by a vehicle. Witnesses stated that a red Chevrolet Impala struck a tan Mercury Mystique in the area of Sycamore Drive and Manzanita Way, forcing the Impala in the direction of the juveniles walking on the southwest corner of Sycamore Drive and Manzanita way.

At approximately 3:23 PM, Antioch Officers arrived at the scene of the collision and located two of the juveniles who were in critical condition. Officers immediately began life-saving measures when the third juvenile was located several feet away. With the assistance of Medical Emergency Services, all three juveniles were given medical attention at the scene and ultimately life-flighted to local area hospitals to receive additional medical care. Additionally, the driver of the Mystique was transported to a local area hospital as a precaution. In contrast, the driver of the Impala was also life-flighted to a local hospital for serious injuries sustained during the collision.

According to witness statements, the Mercury Mystique was traveling westbound on Sycamore Drive and was waiting for traffic to clear before turning left (southbound) onto Manzanita Way. Simultaneously, the Chevrolet Impala exited Sycamore Square onto westbound Sycamore Drive at a high rate of speed. As the Impala approached the Mercury, the Impala attempted to pass the Mercury on the left just as the Mercury began to make the left-hand turn. Regrettably, the result was the Impala colliding into the Mercury, propelling the Impala in the direction of the juveniles reportedly walking home from school.

According to the children’s aunt, Veronica Finley, the victims are one girl and two boys.

9/18/22 9:15 PM UPDATE: Asked about each of their conditions, Sunday night, she shared, “Cheyenne who is at U.C Davis is improving. Mason and Gianathon are at Oakland Children’s. Mason is also improving, Gianathon has not improved, and we are praying but it’s not looking good.”

Asked for their ages, Finley responded, “They are 12 years old they are a blended family.”

“If Gianathon survives they say he will be paralyzed from the neck down as his spine was partially severed,” she continued. “We are waiting for the results of the EEG test to see if there is any brain function. He is on life support.”

9/19/22 12:39 AM UPDATE: A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family to help with expenses. The goal is $20,000. https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-devastated-by-children-being-hit-by-car

We offer our deepest condolences to the families of this tragic and unfortunate incident and pray for a speedy recovery for all the involved parties. Additionally, we would like to thank all the community members and first responders who assisted as this event unfolded.

Due to the ongoing and active nature of the investigation, no further information will be released at this time.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.