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.

It’s not too late to sign up for the Antioch Police Officer’s Associations Poker Tournament Fundraiser for Jax Duggar! Jax is the son of Officer Scott Duggar and has stage 4 kidney disease.

Sign up today at https://antiochpoa.org/news/the-dugger-family-poker-night

Source: CDC

By Contra Costa Health Services

There continues to be a shortage of infant formula nationwide due to supply chain issues and a recall of infant formula due to bacterial contamination in the Abbott manufacturing plant in Michigan. The federal government is currently working on strategies to increase production of formula and help families access existing stock.

Compared to other states California is faring better, but the shortages are still of concern.

Babies need the right balance of nutrients- not too much or too little of anything- to grow and be healthy. It is important for your baby’s health to use products that meet federal standards to ensure the formula is safe and free of harmful bacteria.

During this challenging time, the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and the City of Berkeley encourage parents and families to:

• If you are currently breastfeeding, continue if possible. We recognize this optionmay not be viable for everyone. If someone is partially breastfeeding, they may consider reaching out to a lactation care provider (in-person or by telehealth) to help ensure that they maintain or increase their milk supply by breastfeeding more.
• Talk to your child’s doctor about substituting formula brands. For most babies, if their regular brand of formula is not currently available, it is OK to substitute with a similar version. Also consult your child’s pediatrician if your baby requires a specialized formula, (therapeutic or metabolic formula for an infant with a medical condition requiring different caloric or nutrient content), before making any substitution. Your pediatrician may recommend a milk bank referral. If you have questions about which formula is acceptable, contact your child’s pediatrician or your local WIC agency. (In Contra Costa County, call (800) 414-4WIC.)
• Avoid making your own formula at home, watering down formula to make it last longer, using expired formula, using cow, goat, or plant-based milk for formula, or giving toddler formula to infants. Doing so can reduce the amount of nutrients a baby receives and can lead to potential serious health complications. If no other options are available to feed your baby, children over six months may be eligible for whole, pasteurized, cow’s milk, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is not ideal and should not be done for more than one week. Talk to your pediatrician if you need to give your baby cow’s milk for a week to see if this option is appropriate for your child.
• Apply to the WIC program. About half of all births in California are in low-income families who qualify for the WIC program, and income-eligible clients can receive a WIC card and use it to purchase a limited amount of formula at participating retail stores. WIC offices are staffed by individuals with close ties to their communities. Existing WIC clients should use their benefits for formula earlier in the month in case they run into shortages near the end of their benefit period.
• Find out what resources exist in the community and share those resources widely. If you see infant formula in stock when you’re shopping, make it known within your network.

Health officials will continue to monitor the shortage and provide updates as new information is available.

EA Services staff and Antioch Chamber of Commerce members celebrate the grand opening ribbon cutting on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Photos by Allen D. Payton

Serving foster children and parents

Cookies commemorating EA Services’ Grand Opening. The blue ribbon represents foster care.

By Allen D. Payton

EA Services celebrated the Grand Opening of their new location in Antioch with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Founded in 1981, the non-profit organization provides a variety of residential services to children and young adults, ages 0-24, who have experienced neglect and abuse. Through their Foster Family Agency began in 1983, EA also supports parents of foster children, with over 1,000 clients in Northern California.

Chamber CEO and former Mayor Sean Wright welcomed EA Services to Antioch and Office Manager Lisa Florence thanked the Chamber for the ribbon cutting and to those in attendance.

The organization operates 15 other locations throughout Northern California and their Antioch offices, the first in Contra Costa County, are located at 3737A Lone Tree Way. For more information about EA Services or to become a foster parent visit www.ea.org or call (925) 771-8070.