Teen's brother: 'He was a good kid'

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A 13-year-old boy riding his bicycle in East Travis County died after a car hit him, sending him into oncoming traffic.

Department of Public Safety officials said Pete Valdez rode along Decker Lane, heading south toward Loyola Lane, when a Chrysler 300 hit him at 10:32 p.m. It happened at 8008 FM 3177, also known as Decker Lane.

The bump sent him flying into oncoming traffic heading north, where he was hit again by a Nissan Sentra. Pete died from his injuries.

Officials said the teen was not wearing a helmet on lanes where the speed limit is 60 mph. He would have celebrated his 14th birthday in just five days and would've been an eighth-grader this school year at Garcia Middle School.

 

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How to help

 

Donations to help with funeral expenses for Pete Valdez can be made at any Ace Cash Express location. Please credit to the following name and account number:

Ace Cash Express Account name: Dina Cantu

Routing Number: 073972181

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His big brother, Jessie Cantu, was still in shock Monday.

"That was my little brother right there," said Cantu, now an adult. "I taught him everything and I learned from him.

"He was a good kid. He was a family kid. He loved all his family."

Pete inspired his big brother. "That's everything I wanted to be growing up, when I see my brother, that's everything I wanted to be," Cantu said.

When Pete was in the fifth and sixth grades, KXAN's chief weather forecaster Jim Spencer served as his mentor.

"I am very sad tonight for his friends and family," Spencer said Monday after hearing about Pete's death. "I saw Pete once a week and got to know a really good kid.

"Sometimes he’d act tough to blend in with his peers, but underneath that, everyone knew Pete was really a sensitive, and compassionate person—because of that, Communities in Schools, the group I volunteered with, took a special interest in seeing Pete succeed—and he most certainly would have.

"I think back to Pete’s generosity, always sharing any cupcakes or goodies I brought with his friends. He’d tell me about the things he’d buy for himself, but give to his little brother. And unlike the kids your hear about who bully others—Pete was the opposite—he was the kid who would tell the bullies to knock it off—going out of his way to protect the least popular kids—that’s when I knew he was special.

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Austin school district officials said they will send out information later Monday about counselors available for grieving students.

Meanwhile, investigators said both drivers did stop to help and answer questions.

As DPS troopers continue to investigate the wreck, authorities pointed out that bicyclists have the same rights as drivers on the road -- obligated to follow the same rules of the road, as well.

Also, officials said that if a car hits a bicyclist who was in the wrong, the only way a driver can be charged with anything is if they do not stop and render aid.