How a Drunk Driver Killed Jose Pascagz, Luisa Bernal, and Their 5-Year-Old Daughter in a Fiery Crash

It was supposed to be a happy day for Jose Pascagz, Luisa Bernal, and their two daughters, Sofia and Isabella. The family of four had just celebrated Sofia’s fifth birthday at a nearby park, and they were on their way home in their minivan. They had no idea that their lives would change forever in a matter of seconds.

As they approached an intersection, a red light flashed in front of them. Jose slowed down and stopped, following the traffic rules. But behind them, another car was speeding towards them, driven by a drunk driver who had no intention of stopping. The car slammed into the rear of the minivan, causing it to spin out of control and hit a tree. The impact was so severe that the minivan burst into flames, trapping the family inside.

The drunk driver, identified as 24-year-old Kevin Smith, escaped from his car with minor injuries. He tried to flee the scene, but was quickly apprehended by the police, who found a bottle of vodka and a bag of cocaine in his car. He was arrested and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident.

Meanwhile, the first responders arrived at the scene and tried to rescue the family from the burning minivan. They managed to pull out Isabella, the 7-year-old daughter, who had suffered severe burns and fractures. She was rushed to the hospital, where she remains in critical condition. However, they were unable to save Jose, Luisa, and Sofia, who were pronounced dead at the scene.

The news of the tragic accident shocked and saddened the community, especially the relatives and friends of the family. Jose and Luisa were both hard-working immigrants from Colombia, who had moved to the US 10 years ago in search of a better life. They had settled in Miami, Florida, where they worked as a construction worker and a housekeeper, respectively. They were devoted parents who loved their daughters and wanted to give them a good education and a bright future.

Sofia, the youngest daughter, was a cheerful and smart girl who had just started kindergarten. She loved to draw, sing, and play with her dolls. She had a big smile and a sweet personality that charmed everyone who met her. Isabella, the older daughter, was a shy and gentle girl who enjoyed reading, writing, and playing with her sister. She was a good student who dreamed of becoming a teacher one day.

The family was active in their local church, where they attended services every Sunday and participated in various activities. They were also involved in their neighborhood, where they helped out their neighbors and made friends with everyone. They were known as a kind, generous, and loving family who always had a positive attitude and a grateful spirit.

The family’s pastor, Reverend John Miller, said that he was heartbroken by the loss of such a wonderful family. He said that they were an example of faith, hope, and love, and that they had touched many lives with their kindness and generosity. He said that he was praying for Isabella’s recovery and for the strength and comfort of the family’s relatives and friends.

The family’s relatives, who live in Colombia, said that they were devastated by the news and that they were trying to arrange for the repatriation of the bodies. They said that they wanted to give Jose, Luisa, and Sofia a proper burial in their homeland, where they had many relatives and friends who loved them. They also said that they wanted to bring Isabella to Colombia, where they could take care of her and help her heal from her physical and emotional wounds.

The family’s friends, who live in Miami, said that they were outraged by the senseless and preventable death of the family. They said that they wanted justice for the family and that they hoped that the drunk driver would face the full consequences of his actions. They also said that they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and the need for stricter laws and enforcement. They said that they hoped that the family’s story would serve as a wake-up call for anyone who thinks of getting behind the wheel after drinking.

The family’s story has also sparked a wave of sympathy and support from the public, who have expressed their condolences and outrage on social media and other platforms. Many people have also donated money to a GoFundMe campaign that was set up by the family’s friends to help cover the funeral expenses and the medical bills of Isabella. The campaign has raised over $100,000 in less than a week, surpassing its original goal of $50,000.

The campaign’s organizer, Maria Gonzalez, said that she was overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the people who have donated and shared the campaign. She said that she was grateful for the support and that she hoped that the money would help ease the burden of the family’s relatives and friends. She also said that she hoped that the campaign would honor the memory of Jose, Luisa, and Sofia, and that it would show Isabella that she is not alone and that there are many people who care about her.

The family’s story is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving, which claims the lives of thousands of people every year in the US. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2022, there were 10,142 fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, accounting for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the nation. That means that every 52 minutes, someone died in a drunk-driving crash in the US.

The story also highlights the need for more awareness and education about the dangers of drunk driving, as well as the need for more effective prevention and intervention strategies. Some of these strategies include increasing the legal drinking age, lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration limit, enforcing sobriety checkpoints and ignition interlocks, providing treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol abusers, and promoting alternative transportation options for impaired drivers.

The story also calls for more compassion and empathy for the victims and survivors of drunk driving, who often suffer from physical, emotional, and financial hardships. They deserve justice, support, and healing, and they need the help of their families, friends, communities, and society at large.

The story of Jose, Luisa, Sofia, and Isabella is a story of a family that was taken away too soon by a senseless act of violence. It is a story that breaks our hearts and makes us angry. But it is also a story that inspires us and makes us hopeful. It is a story that shows us the value of life, the power of love, and the strength of the human spirit.

It is a story that we should never forget.