Photo: gofundme
A 2-year-old boy has lost both of his parents in just over a year after his father died in a car accident during Christmas weekend.
California Highway Patrol Officer Jason Bettini toldTheFresno Beethat the boy’s father, Andrew Trujillo, was killed on Sunday when driving in an area near California’s Yosemite National Park. Trujillo, 27, suffered fatal injuries after his car veered off the road and struck a tree.
Family members told ABC affiliateKFSNthat they believe snow and ice on the road played a role in the crash.
Trujillo’s girlfriend and three children — including his 2-year-old son, Drew — were also in the vehicle at the time of the accident and survived, according toThe Fresno Bee.
Police told the newspaper that the three children were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. According to relatives, Trujillo’s girlfriend and her children remained hospitalized as of Tuesday.
The California Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
“We don’t even know what the future holds for him,” he added. “We’re all concerned about him because he’s got so much tragedy.”
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Family members have organized a GoFundMecampaignto benefit Drew, which has raised nearly $80,000 from more than a thousand donors as of Thursday afternoon.
Drew is currently staying with his grandparents, according to KFSN.
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Another family member of Trujillo’s told Fox affiliateKMPHthat the former paramedic did his best to remain positive for his family following his wife’s death.
“Every photo, he’s smiling ear to ear. I’ve never seen that young man not smile,” uncle John Trujillo told the outlet. “He had to be strong he had to be strong.”
Now, the family is tasked with helping Drew as he copes with the loss of both of his parents.
“It’s hard enough to explain where mom was,” John told KMPH. “Now it’s hard to explain where daddy’s at.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
