OAKLAND, Calif. – An Oakland household that suffered accidents in a horrific crash involving a suspected drunk driver earlier this month obtained a go to from group leaders who got here bearing items.
SEE ALSO: Suspected drunk driver in Oakland slams into van filled with kids
On Friday, the Freeway Patrol posted a photograph with the seven youngsters of the Uribe household, all who have been in a Honda Odyssey minivan that was T-boned by a rushing Pontiac G6 within the metropolis’s Fruitvale District on Sept. 9.
An Oakland household concerned in a crash with a suspect DUI driver obtained a particular go to from the CHP and different group members on Sept. 17, 2021.
The picture confirmed the youngsters, a minimum of two nonetheless in arm slings, being visited by Oakland CHP Officer David Arias together with members of the non-profit group group Makin’ Moves. An official from Oakland Councilmember Noel Gallo’s workplace, which represents the Fruitvale District, was additionally there. As a part of the particular go to, they delivered stuffed animals, Nerf weapons and different toys for the youngsters, in addition to three baby automotive seats for the household.
“Their eyes lit up. They have been so completely happy and grateful. It was superior,” Officer Arias advised KTVU.
“BRAVE LITTLE WARRIORS,” was what he known as the Uribe youngsters in a put up on Fb as he shared the picture of the go to.
The crash the kids have been in was caught on surveillance video. The horrifying pictures confirmed the Pontiac, touring at 90 miles an hour, in line with police, working a pink mild earlier than slamming into the minivan.
Oakland household fortunate to be alive after struck by alleged drunk driver
KTVU’s Henry Lee studies.
Bystanders rushed in to assist, as they pulled the kids from the van.
Oakland police mentioned two of the kids weren’t carrying seat belts. A woman and a boy have been ejected from the car.
“It is a critical miracle that these youngsters have been in such good situation as they have been,” Arias mentioned, including, “I spoke with the woman that bought ejected. She had a scratch and a bruise… and that’s it.”
The officer pressured the significance of correctly securing youngsters in automobiles with ample baby restraint techniques, a message delivered via the present of the brand new automotive seats. “It actually saves lives,” he mentioned.
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Arias mentioned that he’s been a paramedic for greater than 12 years, and he’s by no means seen or heard of anyone strolling away with such minimal accidents when ejected from a car like that. He known as it a “miracle from god.”
The kids’s aunt, Keren Martinez, who was driving the minivan, additionally described the result of the collision as a miracle. In an interview with KTVU’s Henry Lee final Monday she mentioned, “Emotionally, actually unhealthy and my physique, I’ve quite a lot of ache,” however famous, “It may very well be worse.”
SEE ALSO: Oakland family lucky to be alive after being hit by DUI suspect
She mentioned that her boyfriend and her sister have been within the van as properly and likewise not severely injured.
As for the suspect, he was arrested after he tried to run from the scene however detained by onlookers who held on to him till police arrived. He confronted costs of driving beneath the affect, hit-and-run, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license.
Councilmember Noel Gallo known as for elevated vigilance when it got here to protecting streets secure.
“Actually, we have to do a greater job defending our kids and households,” Gallo mentioned, including, “Lots of our households are paying the excessive worth by the actual fact we’re not imposing the legal guidelines that we have now in place.”
Along with serving to with donations to cheer up the Uribe youngsters, Gallo was additionally concerned in planning a fundraiser benefiting the household. On Sept. 25 the councilmember’s workplace was set to hitch group companions for a automotive wash at Fremont High School on Foothill Boulevard in Oakland. Proceeds will go towards serving to the Uribe household with medical bills, organizers mentioned.

Oakland Councilman Noel Gallo and group companions plan to carry a automotive wash fundraiser for the Uribe household, who police say was hit by a DUI suspect on Sept, 9, 2021.