Alfredo Morales, a 10-year-old boy with autism, was crossing the street with his sister Claudia heading to a bus stop in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacoima, when he reached out and touched the shiny hood emblem on a Mercedes at a red light. He bent the emblem in the process, and it wasn't clear if it could easily be adjusted back or may have been a costly repair.
Video of the incident shows the driver quickly make a U-turn and followed the siblings to the bus stop. He then gets out, walks over to the children, and despite Claudia's explanation about Alfredo's autism, the man slaps the boy in the face.
The video has gone viral and led to an outpouring of support to the Morales family, who are currently living out of their truck.
A Go fund me page was started for the family has raised more than $90-thousand.
Alfredo's dad Miguel was let go from the restaurant he worked at last month due to downsizing. Then his truck that they were living in broke down.
Airport Marina Ford has taken the family’s vehicle in for a free complete mechanical overhaul. Dan Theroux, the General Manager says "It’s situations like this when you see it and if there’s something you can do, it’s imperative to step up and do what you can to help your fellow man".
Oscar Garcia from Smack Auto Collision Center has offered to repaint the truck after the repairs. "I know people feel better when their vehicle looks good and this family desperately needs to feel better".
The money has been transferred into the daughters name as the family has agreed she would be the best manager of it. She used some it to get the family into and says they will be moving into an apartment next week.
The man who struck Alfredo has been identified and police are considering a charge against him. He also needs police protection now as people have been coming to his home to yell insults at him.