FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. — A 7-year-old boy stayed by his dying mother’s side for hours after surviving a car crash.
A mother was driving her Subaru Crosstrek from a friend’s house in Auberry to Tollhouse when she lost control of the vehicle on Highway 168 at Qualls Prather Road, according to California Highway Patrol officers.
“Vehicle traveled off the embankment, rolled over multiple times,” said one first responder.
Tragically, both the driver and her 7-year-old son were ejected from the car during the accident. The mother did not survive, and her son remained at the scene for approximately 12 hours before being discovered.
CHP officer John Marsh reported that authorities received a call about a child walking along Highway 168, leading to the discovery of the boy near the crash site where he had been waiting by his mother’s side.
The CHP had been looking for the pair since loved ones reported they were expected to return home after midnight but still hadn’t shown up by 8:45 a.m. Sunday. A “be on the lookout” alert went out, and the little boy was spotted just before noon.
Officer Marsh said they later discovered the Subaru had fallen nearly 200 feet off an embankment.
“It was basically sitting in a grove of trees, covered and not visible from the highway,” said Marsh.
Authorities believe both the mother and son were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
“He said he was in a car seat that he did not fall out of,” said a first responder.
The 7-year-old was taken to Valley Children’s Hospital, where he was treated for several wounds, including a broken arm.
Authorities said the child was reunited with his father at the hospital.
First responders say the 7-year-old is a strong little boy. We’re told he is in high spirits given the circumstances.
This crash is still under investigation. The California Highway Patrol is still waiting for the toxicology report to see if alcohol or drugs were a factor.
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