July 5 car crash in South Lake Tahoe claims second victim
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/13/2023 - 11:02pm
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A family heading home after a fun-filled holiday weekend in South Lake Tahoe was involved in the devastating collision on Pioneer Trail that killed not only a 17-year-old local man but also a three-month-old baby.
"In the blink of an eye, our lives have been forever shattered as baby Charlie, previously declared brain dead, passed away on July 11, 2023, at 8:05 p.m.," said the baby's aunt.
There were six people in the two vehicles that collided near the intersection of Fair Meadow and Pioneer. Andy Martinez was the solo occupant in a Subaru Impreza when he was involved in a head-on collision with a family of five. Martinez died at Barton Hospital that evening.
The occupants of the Tesla with baby Charlie were the baby's parents, six-year-old brother, and his dad's 75-year-old uncle. They were all airlifted to UC Davis Hospital.
The family continues to be hospitalized with unknown discharge plans.
"As you can imagine, my brother and his wife are overwhelmed with despair and grief as they face the unfathomable burden that no parent should ever have to bear," said the baby's aunt. "They are now left to face the devastating reality of the dream they once had for their baby. We are confronted with the difficult task of arranging a funeral to say our final goodbyes to our beloved baby Charlie."
The family said any amount of thoughts, prayers, generosity, or support means the world to them.
"At the very least, let this be a reminder to hold your loved ones close and cherish them dearly," said the aunt.
"We would like to give sincere thanks to family, friends, and the community for their support as well as a heartfelt thank you to two pastors who answered the call to service at late notice to surround our family with guidance, comfort, and compassion - Pastor Viseth Hou of United Methodist Church in Elk Grove and Stockton, Calif., and Pastor Cheng Yang of United Methodist Church in Sacramento, Oroville, and Marysville, Calif.
A Go Fund Me has been established to help Charlie's family. All donations will go to medical bills, the funeral home, gravesite, headstone, and funeral flowers. The donation page can be found HERE.