On what would have been Kushan Bhandari’s first day of kindergarten, family friends have set up a memorial fund in his name at First Mountain Bank. Bhandari is the five-year-old boy who lost his life when he and his mother, Sujana, and 11-year-old brother Kushal were crossing Lakeview Drive near Bartlett in Big Bear Lake, after playing at the lake last Thursday evening. Bhandari’s mother and brother have since been released from the hospital in Loma Linda, though both are still dealing with their injuries. In addition to the fund in support of the Bhandari family, which also includes Kushan’s father Keshar, their neighbors across the street from their Himalayan Restaurant are also collecting funds on behalf of the family. Equada Yoga on Pine Knot Avenue will direct all August proceeds from their Tuesday evening community class (at 6pm) to the Bhandari family.
As for the investigation being conducted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, to locate the driver of the SUV that hit the Bhandaris, it continues. According to Arden Wiltshire at Sheriff’s Department headquarters in San Bernardino, “We have no suspects, unfortunately. We’re still following leads, and so far nothing has led us to a suspect yet. We are still looking for the public to provide us with some information if they know anything—even if you feel that it’s very insignificant, give us a call anyway because it could be that one little piece of the puzzle that we’re looking for to put everything together.” The driver in question is said to have been in an SUV, possibly a GMC or Chevy Tahoe, model year 1999 or 2000, dark in color with tinted windows. Those with information should call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 387-8313; anonymous calls are also welcomed at WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME. As told to KBHR, Wiltshire assures, “We are working diligently to try and locate the suspect.”
For more on this story, see postings of August 3 and July 31.
