A family is joining together to find strength after tragedy. A woman and her two-year-old granddaughter were killed after a series of unthinkable events on Interstate 15.
The girl's five-year-old sister is still fighting for her life and in the ICU at Rady Children’s Hospital. Allan Santos is the son of Lina Nebrida and uncle to Keira Magat. He's still in disbelief. "I thought I was dreaming. It was a nightmare and I wanted to wake up," he said.
Early Saturday morning, Nebrida was traveling on I-15 southbound with her daughter and two granddaughters. According to CHP, a car hit them from behind and their vehicle stalled in the middle of the interstate. The tail lights also broke. That driver took off and was later arrested on suspected DUI charges.
Only a few minutes later, another vehicle slammed into the family's car. When authorities arrived, a loving grandmother and a cheerful, happy two-year-old had died. "It's really difficult, it could've been prevented," said Santos.
Now, Santos and his family are trying to focus on the love shared for so many years; remembering his mother's greatest gift.
"My mom's love for us, how much she loves us. Her willingness to help despite her status, she doesn't have a lot of money but she will help," he explained.
He broke down when talking about his young niece; a life lost as it was just beginning. “Her laughter, her joy. Every time I come in she thinks that I'm her dad," he said.
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The family shows their true strength through the act of forgiveness. Santos, explained he's forgiven the suspected drunk driver, but still mourns for his beloved mother and young niece.
"I forgive him already but of course we'll never forget what happened," he said.
The children's mother is now out of the hospital and continues to stay by her daughter's side. They've set up a go fund me account to go towards funeral costs for the grandmother and two-year-old.
