SANTA CLARITA, Calif. () — A deadly crash claimed the lives of a couple in Santa Clarita on Friday. At least one survivor is still recovering, and a devastated family is left behind.
Flowers now lie at the crash site that took the lives of two parents who were driving with their daughter home from church. Their 25-year-old daughter, Erin, is recovering at the hospital, but the deaths of Genry and Patty Ortiz are shaking up their community.
Genry and Patty were part of a local church community, and their family says they dedicated much of their time to giving back.
Around 11:15 p.m. on Friday, their car was slammed into by another driver at the intersection of Newhall Canyon Road and Bouquet Canyon Road. The Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Department says one of the family members died at the scene, while the other passed away shortly after in the hospital.
Eyewitness News caught up with the couple’s son, who had an update on his sister.
”She’s definitely in some pain. Her wrist is very hurt. I mean, really, her whole body, she can’t really move,” Eder David Ortiz said. “As believers in Christ, we don’t really understand a lot of things that happen, but we trust that God does it for a reason, and he’s going to take care of us and help us to just overcome whatever comes our way.”
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Santa Clarita Division said it conducted a breathalyzer test on the other driver in the crash, and that driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
“I’m just trying to navigate emotions and make sure my sister’s OK,” Eder David said.
A GoFundMe has been set up for the Ortiz family to help with funeral expenses and medical bills as their daughter, Erin, now faces life-altering injuries.
“She’s a full-time student, and she devotes her life to church as well. She’s solely reliant on her parents. It definitely hits her really hard, as it’s hitting all of us, but her as well,” said Kaitlyn Ortiz, the daughter-in-law of the victims.
The family says they’re now relying on God and their friends and family for support.
“If you can just keep my sister in your prayers and my family. I really appreciate it,” Eder David said.
No details have been released about the DUI driver.
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