STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY LESLIE SILVA

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help pay for the funeral expenses of a 9-year-old boy who was struck and killed by a motor vehicle on Friday.

Juan Pablo Salinas Vega of Hailey was struck and killed by a car as it pulled into a shared driveway at a residence in the June Day subdivision of Elkhorn at about 11:45 a.m. Friday, June 14.

JP, as he was known to friends, was playing in or near the driveway while his mother worked in the adjacent yard. He was slated to go into fourth grade at Alturas Elementary this coming fall.

A viewing at the Wood River Chapel on Saturday evening drew a standing room crowd of about 200 people.

Sun Valley Police Chief Kim Orchard said no more details can be released at this time, as the incident is still an active investigation.

“It’s important for drivers to remember that kids can be anywhere,” he said.

JP often accompanied his parents, playing in the yard while his mother gardened or riding on the mower with his father Alonzo Salinas, who also offered snow removal services.

Rick Ryerson employed JP’s father Alonzo Salinas for construction projects, lawn maintenance and snow removal for more than 15 years, even taking Salinas with him to Mexico City when he opened a Carbonic Heat distributor there.

“Juan Pablo was a terrific little kid who liked to play in our yard as his father mowed the lawn” he recounted.

JP was among the students involved in in the Far+Wise afterschool program.

“He was adored by our teachers,” said Laura Rose-Lewis, executive director of the program.

Leslie Silva was among the teachers who worked with JP.

“It is absolutely heartbreaking to think about what happened,” she said. “JP was the sweetest, most full-of-life little boy, and the best soccer player I ever played with. His footwork, speed and execution were amazing for his age. He loved winning but was always very kind to come over to me and say: ‘Miss Leslie, you tried hard.’ And then he’d hug me.” 

The Go Fund Me account is at https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-juan-pablos-family-in-grief.

JP’s father and mother said on the account that their son was a very happy boy who was loved by all.

“Our hearts are completely shattered,” they added. “No words can express how much we are going to miss him and how our lives are changed forever.“