A 12-year-old boy died and his father was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk following a crash in Pomona over the weekend.
The crash happened Saturday around 12:50 a.m. on State Route 57, near Temple Avenue. Ignacio Vazquez, a Pomona resident, was speeding at the time as he drove a 2016 Honda Civic, according to the California Highway Patrol.
“It was determined Mr. Vasquez was driving the Honda while under the influence of alcohol, and for reasons still under investigation, the Honda, left the roadway and crashed into a dirt embankment,” the CHP said in a press release.
Vazquez and the 12-year-old “sustained major injuries and were transported by Fire Personnel to Pomona Valley Hospital for medical treatment,” according to the release.
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The boy, who was identified as Abel Vazquez, died while being treated at the hospital. His heartbroken mother said she is overwhelmed with grief.
I"'m torn in two pieces and I feel like I will never be whole," said Martha Barron, Abel's mother.
According to Barron, the tween and his father were returning from an Ice Cube concert in honor of the boy's birthday, which would have been on Sunday.
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"He wanted to play for the Dodgers," Barron said of her son's dreams. "He said the Dodgers need a pitcher and he said, 'Mom, I'm going to be that pitcher.'"
As for the elder Vazquez, Barron said Ignacio's knowledge that their son is no longer alive is punishment enough.
"He’s already paying for it," she said. "My Abel’s not here that’s him paying for it."
The crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact CHP Officer N. Bilinski at 626-338-1164.
