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Background: News footage of the scene of the crash on Feb. 6 (KTLA). Inset: Patty and Genry Ortiz (GoFundMe).
On a late Friday evening, Patty and Genry Ortiz were driving back home after attending church with their 25-year-old daughter, Erin Ortiz. Their journey ended in tragedy at an intersection where another vehicle, allegedly driven by someone under the influence, collided with them. Both parents were killed, and Erin was left with severe injuries that police describe as “life-altering.”
Their surviving son shared his grief and concern with local media, expressing his focus on supporting his sister through this difficult time.
Eder David Ortiz, the son of the deceased couple, spoke to ABC’s KABC about his sister’s condition, mentioning that she is in significant pain with a severely injured wrist and limited mobility. In a conversation with CW’s KTLA, he further detailed that Erin suffered numerous fractures, though he was relieved to note she was recovering better than initially anticipated.
Eder David Ortiz, the son of Patty Ortiz and Genry Ortiz, told local ABC outlet KABC that his sister was “definitely in some pain. Her wrist is very hurt. I mean, really, her whole body, she can’t really move.” He similarly told local CW affiliate KTLA that she had suffered “a lot of fractures,” but noted that she was “doing better” than expected.
According to reporting by KABC, the Ortiz family was in one of three vehicles involved in the crash that took place at 11:15 p.m. on Friday. While in an intersection at Newhall Canyon Road and Bouquet Canyon Road in Santa Clarita, a Southern California city just north of Los Angeles, their vehicle was hit by the suspected drunk driver, who also allegedly hit a third vehicle that was waiting in the same intersection.
The Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Office said one of the parents was pronounced dead at the scene; the other was taken to a hospital and died from their injuries. Erin Ortiz was hospitalized with “severe and life-altering injuries” that will require “extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing support,” according to a GoFundMe started by family friends.
Police said they conducted a breath test on the driver of the vehicle that allegedly caused the crash, and he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. His name was not released.