Claims Filed With FUSD in Hit-and-Run Death of Hoover Student

The father of a 15-year-old Hoover High School student who was killed in October by a hit-and-run driver in front of the northeast Fresno school has filed a claim against Fresno Unified School District.

The claim by Rashad Al-Hakim, which the School Board will consider at Wednesday’s meeting, alleges that the district failed to properly supervise his son Rashad Al-Hakim Jr. in connection with an “officially sanctioned school sports program.”

The claim is seeking unlimited civil damages, including medical, funeral, and burial costs. It was filed with the district on April 3 by Al-Hakim’s attorney, Roger Bonakdar.

A claim also was filed April 3 by Bonakdar on behalf of someone identified by the district as “minor” on the claim form, deleting the claimaint’s name to protect the minor’s privacy. But it’s clear from the claim’s details that the “minor” is Rashad Al-Hakim Jr. That claim also is seeking unlimited civil damages.

Superintendent Bob Nelson is recommending that the board deny the claims, which are typically a precursor to the filing of civil lawsuits in Superior Court.

Fresno State Grad Assistant Charged With Murder, DUI, Hit and Run

The teenager had been released from school early and was crossing First Street in front of the school when he was struck by a northbound vehicle that police say was driven by Lisa Ellen Spoors, 39, who was then working as a Fresno State graduate teaching assistant.

Lisa Ellen Spoors

Police say Spoors initially drove off but returned to the accident scene about 20 minutes later.

Spoors’ arrest came more than two months later when the District Attorney’s Office charged Spoors with three felony counts of murder, driving while under the influence of drugs while causing injury, and hit and run resulting in permanent injury or death.

Spoors is being held in the Fresno County Jail on the murder charge. A settlement conference is scheduled for June 14, according to court records.

Related Story: Driver Charged With Murder in Crash Killing Hoover High Student