Toddler in Coma After I-805 Crash

His grandparents were caring for him and his baby sister while his mother is deployed overseas

A San Diego woman deployed overseas is rushing home to be with her two children injured in a deadly collision on Interstate 805 Wednesday.

The woman’s 2-year-old boy is in a medically induced coma after a car driven by his grandfather crashed into a stalled car in the southbound lanes of the highway just south of Market around 6:30 a.m.

The stalled car, a white Toyota was in the number two lane when it was struck by a passing car. The woman riding in the passenger seat died in the crash, CHP officers said. The driver was injured and sent to a nearby hospital.

The second vehicle couldn't stop in time to avoid the collision, officials said.

Debbie Harvey, the children’s grandmother, said her husband was taking the kids to daycare at the time of the crash.

"It just happened so fast. He just didn't know,” said Harvey. “He just wanted to pull over and it just happened."

The toddler is in a medically induced coma right now so he can sleep and heal his grandmother said.

"It's unbelievable. You don't think that's ever going to happen to you,” Harvey said. “You always think it's going to happen to someone else. You hear about others, and you always pray that it never happens to you.”

The boy’s 10-month-old sister suffered a bruise and scratch to the face in the accident that killed a passenger in another car.

Harvey credits the car seat for the fact that her granddaughter wasn’t seriously injured.

The children’s mother is in the U.S. Air Force and currently deployed in Turkey. She has been contacted and her supervisors are working to get her home as quickly as possible.

Several lanes were closed on southbound I-805 for much of the morning commute in order to keep all the physical evidence intact and gather measurements said Sgt. Charles Leonard with California Highway Patrol.

Harvey is praying for the family of the woman who did not make it as well as for her own family.

"We're just praying,” said Harvey. “He needs prayer to get through this.”

She also wanted to send a message to other parents and grandparents.

"I just want everyone to know to be careful out there. It can always happen to you. Buckle your babies up,” she said.
 

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