Thank you for visiting ZacharyMichaelCruz.com. This site is dedicated to the memory of our son, Zachary, who was born on March 12, 2003 in Ventura, California. Zachary passed away unexpectedly on February 27, 2009, just two weeks before his sixth birthday, when he was hit and killed by an automobile as he crossed the street in Berkeley, California.

At the time of the collision, Zachary was walking with a daycare employee and other children from his after school program. The group was attempting to cross the street at Derby and Warring together, headed to the University of California’s Early Childhood Education Program. Our son was in the crosswalk, walking with an adult responsible for his well-being when he was hit and killed. Contrary to a few early newspaper accounts, Zachary did not "dart into the street." He was incredibly cautious by nature, well behaved, and he knew the importance of listening to grown ups, especially when going for a walk. The driver of the vehicle that took our son’s life was never cited or charged in the collision, nor were any of the other adults responsible for Zachary that day.

While it’s been important for us to try to understand the circumstances that lead to our son’s tragic and ultimately preventable death, these facts do not define who Zachary Cruz was or how he will be remembered. His untimely passing should not overshadow his beautiful and inspiring life. In six short years, Zachary grew into a truly remarkable little boy. He was articulate and funny; he was smart and curious; he was gentle, loving, and kind to everyone he met. He was at the very beginning of what we truly believe would have been a remarkable academic career: an enthusiastic kindergartner, who raised his hand with excitement each and every time his teacher would ask a question. He was a loving sibling, who would sing and talk and help with his new brother, Miles, everyday. He was curious and excited about the world, full of questions and insights that continually surprised us—questions about science, politics, sports, history, and technology. His favorite band was The Beatles. He was a t-ball player, a Cal Bears fan, and he loved Legos, Star Wars, and Nintendo Wii. Most of all, he was a wonderful son. Zachary was a constant source of pride and an unending spring of love and affection. We are blessed to be his parents.

We hope this website will help Zachary’s old friends remember him and we hope it will help his new friends get to know him a little better. Please feel free to leave us a comment—we check this website daily—or simply look around and learn more about Zachary. Thank you for the love, prayers, and support you’ve extended to us and our family. Thank you for helping us honor our son by remembering his life.

Sincerely,

Frank and Jodie Cruz