Tragic Easter Sunday Crash on Interstate 580: Heroism Amidst Devastation

A devastating Easter Sunday incident struck a Fort Bragg family traveling through San Joaquin County. The California Highway Patrol is currently probing a fatal wrong-way collision on Interstate 580, claiming the lives of two individuals.

Norman Phillips, a regular commuter to the Safeway warehouse for three decades via Interstate 580, encountered an unexpected halt on Easter Sunday. "I rolled up to what was dust in the air," Phillips recounted. "Next thing you know, someone is going, 'There’s kids in the car, there’s kids in the car.'"

Approaching the scene, Phillips discovered the aftermath of a wrong-way crash, tragically claiming the lives of two drivers around 2 a.m. Among the wreckage, Phillips found a 3-year-old and 4-year-old boy, disoriented but miraculously unharmed.

The California Highway Patrol identified Harold Liberty IV, 19, of Antioch, as the wrong-way driver, colliding with Azucena Perez, 32, who was traveling in the correct direction. Liberty, ejected from his vehicle, succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while Perez passed away at the hospital, leaving her three passengers surviving.

Amidst the chaos, Phillips intervened, rescuing a baby girl trapped beneath her father. He said the baby wasn't moving. "Just limp, and I turned it over and gave it two pats on the back," Phillips described. "It gasped for air, and I was like, 'Whoa.'"

Moved by the harrowing experience, Phillips returned to the crash site with tokens of remembrance, deeply affected by the family's plight, particularly the infant he had saved. "I have a daughter and I was praying, I don't know who she is and I don't know those people but I want to know them," he expressed.

Overwhelmed by empathy, Phillips revisited the crash site to leave tokens of remembrance. His thoughts lingered on the family, particularly the child he had helped save.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities scrutinizing possible factors such as alcohol or drugs contributing to Liberty's wrong-way driving. Witnesses are urged to come forward and provide any pertinent information to aid in the investigation.

Eyewitnesses to the collision are encouraged to contact the Tracy CHP Area Office at (209) 319-4300 as the investigation continues.

Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, the esteemed recipients of the CAOC Trial Attorney of the Year award. With over two decades of dedicated service, our team has consistently delivered record-setting results for accident victims in Northern, Central, and Southern California. Enjoy peace of mind with our no upfront fees policy. Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or through our website www.penneylaw.com for a FREE consultation.

Frank Penney Injury Lawyers does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Nevertheless, we sympathize with the victim and their families in this time of crisis.

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