Family mourns loved one in fatal traffic accident

VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) – Sandra Reyes and her family continue to mourn the loss of her husband after he died in a wrong-way crash on I-5 on October 10.

ABC 10News was at the scene where police say Miguel Reyes died in the incident. Nearly two weeks after the fatal accident, Sandra Reyes and her family have been open about talking about how they are adjusting to their new reality.

“I lost my husband; he’s my best friend,” Sandra Reyes said.

According to the California Highway Patrol Oceanside Area Office, the wrong-way driver was identified as Diego Fernandez Cruz. He was arrested and faces several charges, including drunk driving and murder. But his actions left a void in this close-knit family.

“I denied it; there is no possibility. There is no way; he’s our Mikey, and my parents just saw everyone the night before,” said his niece, Ashley Ward. “So I thought there was a mistake. There had to be one.”

It was particularly difficult for Sandra Reyes and her four-year-old daughter Mia.

“The hardest thing for me is that my daughter doesn’t have a father,” she says. “I told her, Mom and Dad love you very much – but Dad isn’t coming home anymore. He died in a car accident and she just cried. And cried and cried.”

It's a painful change for both of them.

“For the first four nights, Nia had nightmares, tossing and turning and fighting us in her sleep.”

But her family and the community around her were willing to help. The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District – where Sandra Reyes has worked for over a decade – has set up a GoFundMe for the Reyes family.

Over $33,000 has already been raised, exceeding the original goal of $30,000.

“It was great that we received the same or more love. So I’m grateful and blessed to have this support.”

Now Sandra Reyes and Mia support each other moving forward together.

“Now she comes at night, goes to his picture and crosses him. And says, 'Goodnight, Dad, I love you.' And I always remind her that he is always in her heart.