Eye Witness Tells of Moments After Fatal 710 Freeway Crash

When a Black Honda vehicle lost control and went off the side of the northbound 710 freeway, struck a tree and then overturned Monday morning, it was Jacqueline and a few other homeless camped just a short distance away that first arrived at the scene. 

According to Jacqueline, it was the car's tires skidding across the road and the resulting crash that rushed her to the ditch where the car remained. 

After taking in the totaled car, Jacqueline then scanned the grounds a few yards away and noticed the body of a small child.

"I couldn't breathe, all I saw was teeny tiny little hands," she said.

After recovering herself, she immediately tried to find a way to get the others out.

"I called back to the guys and said 'we have to get them out,' they said the car was going to catch on fire and I said 'I don't care'."

Just then, a high pitched scream from inside the car caught her attention.

"Before we know it the door on the passenger side kicked open and a little boy kicked himself out."

Jacqueline and the others stayed with them until the ambulance arrived about 15 minutes later. 

During that time, she talked with the scared 8-year-old boy who talked to her about his 6-year-old brother and sisters who were three and four years old. 

He cried that he did not want to die and he knew his siblings were dead, but Jacqueline did what she could to keep him calm. 

The mother had a "mangled" left arm, said Jacqueline, but was conscious enough to ask about her children and plead for Jacqueline to take care of them.

According to officials, the two little girls were killed at the scene, which was reported at 8:59 a.m., and one was ejected from the car, Patch learned at the scene. 

The 6-year-old boy sustained major injuries. 

All were reported to have been wearing seatbelts. 

According to the CHP accident report, the children's 26-year-old mother was heading north on the 710 Freeway when for unknown reasons she made an "unsafe turning movement to the right.'' 

The mother was hospitalized under guard Monday evening, authorities said.

If the woman survives her injuries, she will be arrested, CHP officials said.

"We have an officer stationed there at the[Long Beach Memorial] hospital to arrest her once it is medically feasible," CHP Officer Tatiana Sauquillo said.

Though the experience was traumatizing for Jacqueline she said she was glad she could help in some way. 

-City News Service contributed to this report.

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