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VICTIM CALLED 'FUN-LOVING KID'

June 5, 2009 12:35 am

BY ELLEN BILTZ

Chelal Beninu Gross-Matos was doing what he loved the night he died: playing baseball.

The 12-year-old was killed Wednesday night when he was struck by lightning on the baseball field at Lee Hill Park in Spotsylvania County.

Melvin Brown, the principal at Chancellor Middle School, said yesterday that Gross-Matos, known as "Clohu" to his friends, will be missed and remembered.

He was "becoming quite a baseball player."

Brown said the sixth-grader's stepfather, Robert Matos, was proud of Chelal for having one off his best games--scoring the only run of the game.

Robert Matos, who coached the boy's Little League team, the Yankees, told Brown that Chelal had gotten a hit and stolen two bases in the inning before the game got stopped because of lightning flashes.

"He had the best game of his life just before it happened," Brown said.

One of Chelal's teammates, an 11-year-old Robert E. Lee Elementary School student, also was hit by a transfer jolt Wednesday night.

He was taken by a LifeCare ambulance to VCU Medical Center in Richmond and was listed in critical condition.

But yesterday he was responding visually to hand motions, said 1st Sgt. Liz Scott of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office.

He's still on a ventilator, Scott said, but "We're all kind of hopeful."

Arlene Brooks, the secretary at the elementary school, said students are getting counseling and everyone is "praying a lot."

'IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE'

Debbie Tellier, whose 12-year-old son played on the same team as Chelal, said yesterday that although the game had been postponed because of lightning, the skies were clear.

"There was a little lightning strike," she said, adding that the umpires called for everyone to get off the field, but many people were still lingering around the parking lot.

Scott said initial reports were that Chelal and the 11-year-old were in the field playing catch when the lightning struck.

But yesterday, she said, it became more clear that they were actually only tossing a ball back and forth as they walked off the field near the other players.

Tellier said there were a few white clouds in the sky when Chelal and the 11-year-old were leaving the field, but no one expected lightning.

She said many of the other parents and players were gathered in the parking lot, expecting the game to start again shortly.

Tellier said she didn't see the lightning strike, but her husband was facing toward it.

"It came out of nowhere," she said. "He just saw dirt flying and smoke, and someone yelled that two boys were down."

Robyn Hall was also at the park Wednesday evening and was equally surprised at the lightning.

"It wasn't raining; it wasn't anything," she said of the weather in the moments before the strike.

Then, she said, she hard a loud bang.

"It was just one of those jolts like when you're in your bed and you're startled out of your sleep," she said.

Hall said her 12-year-old son, who was playing on the team opposite the Yankees, was very affected by the lightning, and she hopes the community will be supportive of the families.

"Instead of blaming, pray," she said. "It was a freak accident."

'FUN-LOVING KID'

Principal Brown said Chelal's classmates rallied around his memory yesterday.

He described the sixth-grader as a "fun-loving kid who always had a smile on his face."

Brown said Chelal had many friends, and that became even more obvious yesterday by the number of children hoping to sign a special yearbook to be given to the Matos family.

Brown said students are finding creative ways to express their grief, some making cards and others signing T-shirts.

Tellier also described Chelal as a guy who everyone liked. She said that in the months since the group had played baseball together, they'd gotten very close.

"He was always very outgoing and friendly to everyone," she said.

A funeral is planned for Monday at 11 a.m. at the Salem Fields Community Church.

Honorary pallbearers will be his teammates, the Yankees.

GETTING HELP

Students at both Chancellor and Robert E. Lee were provided counseling, authorities said yesterday.

Brown said many students took the opportunity to talk with a counselor.

Spotsylvania County Little League also announced yesterday that all activities would be suspended until organizers believe the families' needs are met.

Spokesman Brian Wolfe said that, like the school system, the league is working to provide counseling to players, coaches and parents.

"Our goal right now is just meeting the best needs of the family," he said.

Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424
Email: ebiltz@freelancestar.com