2 Families, Sheriff's Office Devastated By Boy's Death In Suspected DUI Crash On I-680

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – Two families and the sheriff's office are devastated since a crash killed a 3-year-old boy Friday in San Ramon, an Alameda County sheriff's spokesman said Sunday.

Elijah Dunn died in a crash on northbound Interstate Highway 680 around 6:20 p.m. and a woman married to an Alameda County sheriff's deputy was arrested on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter.

Kelly would not release the name of the deputy but said sheriff's officials are thinking about both families.

"We're devastated," Kelly said. "We're sad. This is horrible. Tragic. Many of us are parents. This hits very close to home."

California Highway Patrol officers arrested 39-year-old Pleasanton resident Yarenit Liliana Malihan after the crash on Highway 680 near Bollinger Canyon Road.

A black 2007 Toyota Camry with three children and their mother inside was parked on the shoulder of the highway when Malihan's white 2008 Toyota Sequoia crashed into the back of it, CHP officials said.

The children including Elijah, his 1-year-old sister and his 11-year-old brother were taken to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland.

Elijah died at the hospital, according to CHP officials.

The children's mother was taken to John Muir Medical Center with major injuries.

Investigators concluded the small children in the Camry were secured in child safety seats and the other occupants were wearing seatbelts, CHP officials said.

Malihan was treated for minor injuries at San Ramon Regional Medical Center and booked into the county jail.

Kelly said sheriff's officials are making sure the deputy's family has the support they need such as counseling and peer support as deputies send out their thoughts to the boy's family.

"We're thinking of them and we will as we move forward," Kelly said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Elijah's family with living expenses, loss of income and the financial burdens of Elijah's death.

The page can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/elijah-dunn.

"Elijah was always full of joy and brought happiness to everyone he met. His smile was contagious. He was one of those special little guys whose personality drew people to him wherever he went," the fundraiser site says. "His mother, 11 year old brother and 1 year old sister where in the vehicle with him when the tragedy occurred.

"His mother is still hospitalized in critical condition trying to recover while dealing with the loss of her precious boy. Elijah's 13 year old sister and his father were not in the vehicle," the page states.

"The entire family is completely overcome with grief as they struggle to make sense of this inconceivable loss. We are raising funds for this beautiful family to assist them with living expenses, loss of income and relief from the financial burdens that come in a situation such as this. They have a long recovery ahead of them and anything you are able to contribute to this family would be so deeply appreciated."

About $26,500 had been donated as of 8 a.m. today toward the $50,000 goal.

--Bay City News contributed to this report/Image courtesy of The Elijah Dunn Family Fund on GoFundMe.