Tribute held for boy killed by bus in Jersey City

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A young boy was hit and killed by a bus last week on a dangerous boulevard in New Jersey, and now there is a huge effort to make sure that child didn't die in vain.

Cops in Jersey City are cracking down on that street, as residents paid an emotional tribute to the boy.

They stood in silent prayer in Jersey City Thursday night. A family now forged in pain, teammates, shoulder to shoulder a firm brace against the heartache, and a mother raising her hand to the heavens for comfort, and finding there, so little.

"There are no words right now," a priest said.

George Gonzalez was 11 years old. He left for school last Friday morning and was struck by a commuter van at the corner of Neptune Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City.

A memorial has grown at the intersection now with balloons and flowers and notes from heartbroken friends.

A sign, too late, warns drivers to slow down. He was just a child who left so much behind.

"It's been very hard," said Frank Gonzalez, a family member.

Frank says George wanted to be a doctor when he grew up.

"That was his dream, he always talked about it, besides being a Giants fan, he loved them so much, he said, 'I can't play, but I can be a doctor,'" Frank said.

George's nickname was "Turtle," and the team gave his mother a jersey tonight.

His coach stood with the team, stunned, with his hat on his heart, what do you say to them?

"It was very hard, it was very hard, they're still not over it. They are just trying to be strong, that's all we can do," said Carlton Trent, coach.

44-year-old Raul Delatorre-Golaza was arrested and charged in the fatal accident.

He's had his license suspended four times in the past; it was in fact suspended at the time of this accident. The Gonzales family over this past week has known unimaginable pain, but they find in their hearts still, understanding.

"I feel so sorry for him, understand, try to take it as an accident," Frank said.