A young man from Barstow who was severely injured in a violent head-on crash that left him the sole surviving member of his family is speaking out just a week after a driver suspected of being under the influence forever changed the course of his life.
While Francisco Valencia-Saucedo exudes strength, he admits that he’s still in shock from one of the worst days of his life.
The crash occurred on Feb. 20 in Hesperia when Francisco, his older brother Jose and his parents, Rosa and Pedro, were headed to Yaamava’ Casino in Highland after enjoying a night out for dinner.
It was the one night of the week that the Barstow family all got to spend together.
When traffic along I-15 started getting backed up, the family exited onto Mariposa Road, traveling southbound.
That’s when deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department say 45-year-old Pavlo Padilla, a resident of Victorville, crossed over the center divider in his Chevrolet Suburban and struck the family head-on.
Rosa, Pedro, and his older brother Jose, who Francisco said was his best friend, all died in the crash.
“It’s going to take time to be able to understand the why,” the young man told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “My parents were my whole world. They were strong people.”
While Padilla was arrested on suspicion of DUI, Francisco was hospitalized with severe injuries.
“A ruptured spleen, fractured ribs, lacerations on his kidneys, obviously the bruising from the seatbelt,” Julio Saucedo, Francisco’s cousin, said of the injuries he sustained from the crash. “At this point, all we could do is be thankful for having him.”
His cousins are now by his side helping Francisco lay his family to rest at Sunset Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary.
A GoFundMe has been organized to help cover the cost of funeral expenses for a family that loved ones said made a difference in the community and put faith and family first.
“We would always invite them to family parties, and they were like, ‘We’ll be there. We just got to handle business first at church,” said Jorge Saucedo, Francisco’s cousin. “It was always like that, church first.”
Officials at the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office told KTLA that if Padilla is found to have been under the influence, it will be his third DUI arrest.
The 45-year-old suspect, who is being held without bail, has since been charged with three counts of second-degree murder and if convicted, could face more than 15 years to life in prison due to his prior convictions.
“I’ll never get drunk driving,” Francisco said. “You cause more harm than good.”
A fundraiser, bake sale and raffle has also been organized in Barstow to help raise money for the family. The event is this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Oggi’s, located at 2854 Lenwood Road. Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased at Oggi’s or the Lash Lounge, located at 400 South 2nd Avenue.