On Sunday night, May 26, 2019, most families were settling into their vacation homes or double checking the grocery list for the Memorial Day cookout the next day. Unfortunately, tragedy never takes a break and can occur at some of the most horrific times. Sunday night, a family of four, including two children, were killed in a single-car crash on Highway 152 east of San Luis Reservoir, according to authorities.

The 2017 Nissan Altima was eastbound on Highway 152 around 8:30 p.m., said the California Highway Patrol. As it approached Santa Nella Boulevard (Highway 33), it crossed the median into the westbound lanes, then went across a dirt shoulder and hit a tree.

All four people in the car were killed. The Merced County Sheriff’s Department identified the deceased as Samuel Soto, 40, his two sons Nicolas Soto, 9, Diego Soto, 2, and Alondra Lara-Montes, 22, all of Pomona, according to the Fresno Bee.

Lara-Montes’ parents and siblings were driving in a separate car behind them, and witnessed the devastating crash.  As a result of the fatal crash, a father, a mother, two children and one that was on the way became angels. 

Initially, a report stated that all had been wearing seatbelts, but a revised statement said Lara-Montes — who was pregnant — was not belted. The younger boy, Diego Soto, was in a car seat.

Our thoughts are with the family of these victims, especially those who witnessed the crash.