Insets, clockwise from top: Timothy Chavez (Fresno police), Martha Hernandez (GoFundMe), Adrian Hernandez (GoFundMe). Background: Police in Fresno, California, retrieve a vehicle after it crashed into a canal (KFSN).
In a tragic incident in Fresno, California, a mother and her young son lost their lives after their car was forced into a canal by another vehicle. The driver responsible for the fatal crash fled the scene, leaving the victims to their unfortunate fate, according to local authorities.
Timothy Seth Chavez, 22, is now facing serious charges, including two counts each of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run. Additionally, he is being charged with driving on a suspended license and without insurance. The victims of this tragic event were identified as 41-year-old Martha Hernandez and her 9-year-old son, Adrian Hernandez.
The heartbreaking crash took place just before 2 a.m. on a Monday morning at the intersection of McKinley Avenue and State Road 41. After the collision, Chavez reportedly fled the scene on foot, abandoning the victims and the wreckage.
Lilliana Perez, the niece of Martha Hernandez, expressed her outrage and sorrow on a GoFundMe page set up to assist Martha’s surviving son. “This man showed no concern and no remorse, running away from the scene on foot, ignoring the consequences of his behavior,” Perez wrote. She described how her aunt and young cousin were left in a dire situation, their car submerged in a nearby canal.
When first responders arrived, they discovered Hernandez trapped in the vehicle. Despite their efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the hospital. Initially, responders were unaware that Adrian was also in the car. Sadly, his body was found hours later, carried miles away by the water.
“First responders were unaware her 9-year-old son was in the vehicle during the incident and was swept away by the water and found hours later miles away,” Perez wrote.
The mother and son were headed home from an Easter celebration.
“Our Adrian was a very pure and innocent person — a son, brother, student who loved school and was always involved in church with his mother,” Perez wrote.
Hernandez’s other son is set to graduate from high school later this year.
“He not only is left to face this milestone without his mom and little brother but also left with the weight to give his mother the funeral she deserves by giving her a service in her hometown and by transporting her to her childhood hometown in Mexico where her closest loved ones await,” said Perez. “The sudden loss has brought unexpected funeral expenses and living costs at a time that should be filled with hope and celebration.”
Chavez turned himself in to the Fresno County Jail on Monday night.
