Victorville parents grieve the loss of 2 of 3 children in fiery crash on Highway 18
By Rob McMillan
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PHELAN, Calif. (KABC) — A Victorville mother is grieving the loss of two of her three children in a fiery crash on Highway 18 in Phelan last Friday.
Maria Cardenas said her 25-year-old daughter, Adrianna, and her 18-year-old son, Adam, were both killed when a vehicle heading in the opposite direction crossed the centerline and crashed into them head-on.
The driver who hit them head-on also lost their life.
“It’s just so tragic to lose both my children, because somebody might have been in a rush or late,” said Cardenas. “I don’t know what was on this person’s mind, or what rush this early in the morning. But I know my daughter is a good driver, and she had no time to react.”
According to California Highway Patrol, it happened just before 7 a.m. on Highway 18 near the intersection of Shandin Road.
Cardenas said her children were on their way to pick up a cousin at UC Santa Barbara. That’s when the driver of a white Cadillac CTS veered into their lane of travel and collided with their vehicle, according to CHP.
“Other people have reported that the driver was driving erratically previously,” said Cardenas. “It’s a two-way lane, so it is kind of scary there.”
Cardenas went to the scene when she heard about the crash, and her son and daughter weren’t responding.
“They were like, ‘Tell me about the kids,’ and I’m trying to describe my daughter. And I’m just like, ‘She just got a haircut, and she has glasses.’ And they said, ‘Tell me about the boy,’ and I said, ‘He has glasses, too,’ and then they asked me if he had braces, and I said, ‘Yes, he still has braces,'” she recalled. “Just sick to my stomach, you know?”
Cardenas said she now has only her memories of her children to cherish. She said Adrianna was like a mother to the entire family.
“We always wanted our kids to do better,” said Cardenas. “My oldest son (Alex) is an ideal role model, and my daughter was the same. That was our only daughter, and she took on the ‘mom’ responsibilities. I’m her mom, but literally she (was) our mom, and very helpful.”
CHP said they’re awaiting toxicology results on the driver who caused the crash. At this point, it’s unknown whether drugs or alcohol might have also been a factor.
A GoFundMe page was set up to raise money for Cardenas, her husband and their one remaining son, Alex.
Cardenas hopes the tragic death of two of her children will raise awareness about the importance of drivers slowing down.
“Take your time. You’re going to get there. Just arrive safely and think about the others on the road, not just yourself,” Cardenas said.
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