Father Witnesses Family Killed in Fiery California crash

In a tragic story today, a central California father helplessly watched his family, which included his wife and their four young children, perish in a fiery car crash after trying to unsuccessfully rescue his family from the burning vehicle, authorities said Sunday.

The man was driving behind his family Saturday night when the driver of a minivan ran a stop sign at a Fresno County intersection and hit his wife and children in their Ford Expedition, California Highway Patrol Officer Axel Reyes said.

The husband and wife had been traveling in separate cars because they were on their way to pick up a fifth child — no word yet on whether he or she is their own or a relative. After the crash, the wife tried to escape the car, but she and her children became trapped inside of it. According to witness reports, the husband, who suffered mild burns on his hands, was in such a state of shock he had to be pulled off the burning SUV.

Even though it has been reported that Juana Martinez Bejarano, the driver of the car that crashed into the SUV, had a previous DUI conviction and may have been on medication at the time of the fatal crash, there is no evidence at this time that either drugs of alcohol had anything to do with the horrific accident. Police say both cars were driving near the 60 mph speed limit.

What a horrible and sad story. I can’t imagine how this dad spent the night, or how long it’s going to take to wrap his mind around the tragic event that unfolded before his eyes. I hope he can find some peace at this time and our hearts go out to the wife and four little ones who suffered this fate.

Agencies/Canadajournal