However, when things go bad on the freeway the surface streets near my home go crazy with commuters trying to find a way around the problem. This afternoon was one of those days. As I write this, lines of cars are snaking their way around the area trying to get past an accident and I can hear the buzz of news helicopters hovering over the scene a short distance away.
My wife called earlier in the afternoon to tell me to check the web because something big was happening on the I-5. The accident was close enough to the high school that the kids could hear the sirens and see the news choppers. I'm almost sorry I checked:
Two 3-year-old girls were killed and a 5-year-old boy is fighting for his life after a big-rig slammed into the back of the vehicle they were riding in this afternoon on the southbound Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway north of Oso Parkway, authorities said.This picture is heartbreaking:
The three young children, believed to be siblings, were rushed by ambulance to Mission Hospital, where the two girls died, California Highway Patrol officer Katrina Lundgren said. The 5-year-old is in surgery.
Their mother and grandmother suffered moderate injuries when the semi crashed into the back of a silver Chrysler about 1:10 p.m., completely demolishing the smaller car. A GMC Yukon was also involved in the crash, but details of the accident are unclear.
The mother was airlifted to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, and the grandmother was taken to by ambulance to the same hospital.
All lanes of the freeway were shut down while a LifeFlight helicopter landed on the freeway for about five minutes to pick up the injured mother.
That's a fire department chaplain comforting witnesses to the accident. I travel that road nearly every day and this is a terrible reminder of what can happen at any time. My prayers go out to the family and everyone involved.
UPDATE: When we left for the Angels game at 5pm traffic was backed up for miles north of the accident scene. When we came home at 10:45 they still had lanes blocked for the investigation and traffic was backed up on the southbound I-5 for at least 2 miles. What a mess.
UPDATE 2: The story just gets sadder as all three kids perish. More info here.
UPDATE 7/30: Since the comments seem to be generating more heat than light, I've decided to shut down comments on this post and other posts relating to this tragedy. My heart goes out to the family and I hope God will grant them the peace they need.
Related posts:
Sometimes It's Hard to Live Near the Freeway - 5/4/07
Update on a Family Tragedy in Orange County - 5/11/07
After the Funeral Comes the Lawyers - 5/12/07
Three New Blessings for a Local Family Hit by Tragedy - 5/2/08
Truck Driver Who Killed Three Kids Convicted - 8/22/08
Truck Driver Who Killed Three Kids Sentenced to Prison - 1/23/09
Caltrans Not Responsible For Deadly Mission Viejo Crash - 7/14/10
This Lawsuit Was a Bad Idea From the Start - 9/18/10
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