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*Sandra Yi Reporting*To donate money or help the Barrientos family, call Teresa Organista at 320-0759 after 1 p.m. A fund has also been set up in the family's name at Zions Bank.
The family of four that was hit by a car as they crossed an intersection yesterday is still recovering from their injuries.
The father is the only one who has been released from the hospital. His sons and wife are still in the hospital. His wife suffered the most serious injuries but all are expected to recover.
Yesterday, the family was crossing at 700 S. Redwood Road, headed to the 'Food 4 Less'. That's when a car plowed into them.
Julio Barrientos: "I hope that everything can work out because it was an accident."
Julio Barrientos was just released from the hospital. He has stitches in his head and a black eye. He says he's amazed he and his family are still alive.
Julio Barrientos: "I was surprised because when I saw everything flying around and my kids in different positions and my wife being dragged, I didn't think anyone would be alive."
Barrientos remembers crossing the street yesterday. The family had just left a medical clinic, and was on their way to the store. It was their turn at the crosswalk.
Julio Barrientos: "I looked, I didn't see any cars coming and we kept walking, but a car came out of nowhere."
Police say the driver fell asleep at the wheel and ran a red light. Barrientos' two sons were in baby strollers.
Julio Barrientos: "It took my son under the car, threw me into the air and I landed on my head, and dragged my wife to the other side of the light."
Barrientos blacked out. He awoke to see the aftermath.
Julio Barrientos: "I saw that and I asked myself, 'Why did it happen to me?'"
When Barrientos saw his one-year old son under the car, he thought he was dead. But the toddler survived with scratches. His three-month old brother was thrown out of his stroller and suffered fractures. Their mother, Alejandra, broke both legs and her pelvis. All three are still in the hospital.
Now Barrientos is trying to cope with what happened, but he has no hard feelings for the driver.
Julio Barrientos: "At the beginning, I had a very bad feeling about him, but after, I realized he had a bad day like us."
The driver, who was visibly stunned, reportedly just got off a late shift at work. Barrientos says he has no hard feelings.
Julio Barrientos: "At the beginning, I had a very bad feeling about him. But after, I realized he had a bad day like us."
The car's driver may face charges. The family has no medical insurance and isn't sure if the driver has insurance. Their ward is trying to help the family out.
To donate money or help the Barrientos family, call Teresa Organista at 320-0759 after 1 p.m. A fund has also been set up in the family's name at Zions Bank.
