San Joaquin County, California – A fatal accident in Tracy, California, resulted in the tragic loss of a 2-month-old baby and two adults. The incident occurred in the early hours of Easter Sunday and has left the community in shock.
The tragic incident occurred around 2:00 AM when a Honda Accord, traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 580, collided violently with a Kia Telluride. According to reports from the Tracy Division of the California Highway Patrol, both vehicles collided head-on, resulting in the rollover of both cars.
The driver of the Honda Accord, identified as 19-year-old Harold Liberty IV, lost his life at the scene after being ejected into the median. On the other hand, the driver of the Kia Telluride, 32-year-old Azucena Pérez, was transported to San Joaquin General Hospital, where she tragically passed away due to the severe injuries sustained.
Also traveling in Pérez’s vehicle were a 35-year-old male passenger and a 2-month-old baby, who was taken to the same hospital with serious injuries. Additionally, a 4-year-old child was transported for treatment of minor injuries.
The shocking accident resulted in the closure of all westbound lanes, as well as traffic diversion while authorities conducted investigations at the scene. The Tracy Division of the California Highway Patrol has announced that they are awaiting toxicology reports to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved in the tragic event.
Following the tragic incident, the Highway Patrol reported that the 2-month-old baby “succumbed as a result of this crash,” extending condolences to all affected by this tragic loss.
The accident was witnessed by Norman Phillips, who recounted that he was on his way to work when he decided to stop upon noticing “dust in the air.” Phillips described how he heard the adult male passenger in the Kia Telluride desperately shouting about the presence of children in the car.
His testimony reveals the distressing scene in which the man attempted to shield his baby under his own body, until Phillips was able to rescue him, unfortunately, without signs of life.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and caution while driving. The community of Tracy, California, mourns the loss of these lives and hopes that events as heartbreaking as this serve as a wake-up call to awareness and responsibility on the roads.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families.