Ceres, CA – Roy Anthony, 16, of Ceres, has been identified as the teen who suffered serious injuries after falling from the tailgate of a pickup truck on the afternoon of Saturday, December 28, 2025, according to The Modesto Bee.
The CHP reports that the incident occurred around 3:00 PM in the parking lot of Hidahl Elementary School on East Redwood Road. Officers responded to a report of a traffic collision and located a GMC pickup truck stopped in the school parking lot with an injured juvenile nearby.
Investigators stated that Anthony had been riding on the lowered tailgate of the pickup truck when the driver accelerated. As the vehicle moved forward, Anthony fell from the truck and struck the asphalt.
The driver of the vehicle, another 16-year-old boy from Ceres, was not injured. Authorities reported that the pickup truck was operated by a juvenile at the time of the incident.
Emergency personnel from the Modesto Fire Department arrived on scene and found Anthony suffering from traumatic injuries and in cardiac arrest. An American Medical Response ambulance crew provided emergency medical care before transporting him to Doctors Medical Center.
Due to the severity of his injuries, Anthony was later transferred to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland for specialized treatment. Family members have stated that he sustained serious brain injuries and remains on life support. A GoFundMe has been set up to provide financial support for his medical needs.
CHP officials stated that alcohol and drugs do not appear to have contributed to the incident based on preliminary findings. The crash remains under investigation as authorities continue to review the circumstances, vehicle operation, and passenger positioning in accordance with standard traffic collision investigation procedures.
Accidents involving Minors
Until drivers reach the age of 18, California Law states that their parents have Vicarious Liability. This makes parents financially responsible for any damages their child causes while driving a vehicle. Vicarious Liability applies whether or not the parent was present with the child in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Passenger Liability
Driver liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a Personal Injury claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming. As a neutral third party, an experienced personal injury attorney can help navigate these emotional complexities.
Ceres Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Ceres Car Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
