A 9-year-old August Knodt Elementary School student that was struck by a motorist Tuesday afternoon while walking home from the Weston Ranch school with a parent has died.
The girl, identified on social media as Brianna Moua, was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center where she passed away several hours later. Moua, identified by Manteca Unified School District as a fourth-grader at August Knodt, was struck near the intersection of Ishi Goto Street and Carolyn Weston Boulevard just after 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The adult female driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene. Witnesses performed CPR on her until medics arrived.
“It is with deep sorrow that we are reporting the death of one of our 4th grade students from August Knodt Elementary school, who was hit by a vehicle yesterday afternoon,” read a statement released by Manteca Unified on Wednesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. We also offer our condolences to our August Knodt students and staff members.”
Manteca Unified plans on having additional staff, including counselors, on hand at the school throughout the week to support students and staff who are grieving over the loss. Parents who are concerned about how their child is processing the information are urged to contact their child’s teacher, the school counselors, or the administrative staff.
A GoFundMe account has been set up by the young girl’s family to help with funeral expenses. By the end of the day on Wednesday more than $10,000 of the $50,000 goal had already been raised for Moua’s parents – Chue and Debbie – to help with any end-of-life preparations. The account was set-up by a family member from San Jose.
“Brianna was a caring, loving, smart, bright, beautiful little girl,” Julie Moua wrote in the description. “Her sudden passing has torn our world apart and there is not enough words to describe the grief that we are all feeling. I hope to raise enough money so that her family can mourn without the financial burdens of a funeral and daily life.”
Social media comments in a Weston Ranch Facebook group on Wednesday pointed out that the girl was struck in an intersection that was without a crosswalk.  They noted that there are very few crosswalks in the area for parents to safely bring their children to the elementary schools that serve the South Stockton community.
According to Manteca Unified Deputy Superintendent Clark Burke, the district has recently “adopted a resolution documenting its support for the Stockton’s Safe Routes to School program for the purpose of improving save routes throughout the community. Burke added that “in the days to come, we will continue to be advocates alongside the City of Stockton for community improvements that support student safety.”
Burke noted that all of the efforts of the district today went towards supporting those affected by the tragedy.
Stockton Police investigators are currently searching for the drivers and occupants of two vehicles that have had the best view of the accident – a late 1990s or early 2000s silver Mercedes Sedan and a late 1990s to early 2000s dark SUV that may be a Honda Passport. Any witnesses to the accident are being asked to contact Stockton Police Department investigators at 209.937.8354 or 209.937.8377. To donate money to the family to help with funeral expenses, visit www.gofundme.com/funeral-cost-for-brianna.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.