In the midst of deep sadness, Martha Barron tries to navigate a world without her beloved son. Abel Vázquez was taken away from her over the weekend when his father crashed the car they were traveling in. Now, instead of planning a birthday party, Martha is organizing the funeral of her 12-year-old son.
"I feel so empty, I feel so broken," said Barron with tears in her eyes.
According to Barron, on Friday her son and his father, Ignacio Vázquez Jr., were heading to Los Angeles to attend an Ice Cube concert as an early birthday gift. The two shared a common interest in the rapper.
"He always used to say, 'Dad, it's just two tickets, right? It's just you and me'," Barron recalled through sobs.
The seventh-grade student passed away early on Saturday when his father crashed into an embankment near Highway 57. According to investigators from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), alcohol was a determining factor in the accident. Barron also believes that lack of sleep played a significant role.
"I think he fell asleep," she said. "I really think he fell asleep and his dead weight hit the steering wheel because he woke up early that morning to go to work in Palm Desert."
Vázquez is hospitalized and underwent surgery for his injuries. Additionally, he is under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol.
On Sunday, Barron and others gathered at the accident site to sing "Happy Birthday" on what would have been Abel's 13th birthday.
"I know he's dancing, I know he's singing because that's what he loved to do," Barron said with a nostalgic smile.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses.
Originally posted at Liga Legal® Abogados
