Curiosity
father family crash: California Man Watches Helplessly As His Whole Family Dies In Fiery Crash UPDATE
A mom and her four children have been tragically killed after their white SUV was engulfed in flames on Saturday evening after another vehicle ran a stop sign and hit them
She was driving a 2003 Ford Expedition SUV carrying their children, boys ages one and three and girls ages six and 11. The father was devastated when his family was killed right in front of his eyes after the SUV was struck by a 2004 Nissan Quest minivan that was traveling about 60 mph and ran a stop sign at 7:08 p.m.
The SUV burst into flames within minutes, and the father was unsuccessful in his attempts to free the family, including breaking windows. He received only minor burns on his hands, but his family all died at the scene, according to Highway Patrol Officer Axel Reyes.
‘You almost could not have timed it any better, the two front corners’ of the two vehicles struck at the worst angle – right near the engine blocks – likely leading to the fire, Reyes said.
Investigators were not able to confirm the identities of the burned bodies, and autopsies were due to be conducted the next day, according to Coroner Dr. David Hadden.
The 41-year-old driver of the minivan, Juana Martinez Bejarano, was hospitalized with injuries.
The crash occurred after 7 p.m. when a 2004 Nissan Quest minivan hit the 29-year-old woman and her four children – boys ages 1 and 3 and girls ages 6 and 11
Speed, alcohol and drugs are not considered factors in the crash although Bejarano may have been taking a medication.
Everyone involved in the crash was from Riverdale, a small town north of where the crash occurred.
According to Reyes, distraught family members gathered along with the father at the crash site on Saturday evening.
The woman’s husband, who was driving a quarter mile behind the SUV, saw his wife’s vehicle burst into flames and tried unsuccessfully to free his family