Three Loved Ones Die in Crash While Heading to Mother’s Day Celebration in Piñon Hills
Tragic Mother’s Day Crash Claims Three Lives
A family in the High Desert is mourning the tragic loss of three relatives who were killed in a car accident over the weekend while en route to a Mother’s Day celebration.
The collision occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday on Highway 18 in Piñon Hills. According to law enforcement sources, a Jeep veered into oncoming traffic, leading to a head-on crash with a minivan. The events leading up to the crash remain under investigation.
The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Alfredo Orozco, along with his aunt and uncle, 51-year-old Maricela Orozco and 58-year-old Javier Hernandez Ramirez. They were traveling in a Honda Odyssey, excited to celebrate the special day with family.
“My brother bought a house in Victorville. They were driving up there to celebrate. We were waiting for them,” said Hector Dorado, brother of Alfredo Orozco. He noted that relatives had tracked their location through their phones and became concerned when they had not moved for over 30 minutes while still 20 minutes away from the destination.
In a moment of dread, Dorado rushed to the site, finding the wreck: “We saw the Honda and the Jeep and I said, ‘It’s not them. They are OK.’ That’s when my dad said, ‘Your uncle just bought an Odyssey,’ and it hit me,” he recounted.
Meanwhile, authorities reported that two teenagers and a 25-year-old sibling survived the crash and were transported to a local hospital. Their injuries have not been disclosed. The driver of the Jeep also survived, though details surrounding their condition remain unclear.
Dorado expressed the deep sorrow felt by his family as they grapple with the unexpected loss while also hoping for the recovery of those who survived. The California Highway Patrol is conducting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
