Ian Sanchez: 6-year-old boy's family decide to donate organs after suspected DUI crash left him brain dead
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: A Las Vegas family is currently spending their final moments with their six-year-old son, Ian Sanchez. The family was returning from a camping trip on Monday when their car collided with a drunk driver's vehicle and left Ian brain dead.
Ian currently remains on life support as he will soon become an organ donor. “He was honestly the most beautiful, sweetest child ever, everyone, everyone loved him… He lost his first tooth two weeks ago and he was so happy about that,” shared Moses Sanchez about his son Ian.
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Who is Ian Sanchez?
Ian and his 4-year-old brother were sleeping as the family was driving home to Vegas Monday morning. The family was traveling on Interstate 215 in Murrieta, which is about 80 miles southeast of Los Angeles, when they collided with another car whose driver, Isaiah F Orona, 26, had hit a wall. Police suspect that the driver of the other car was under the influence of alcohol. In the tragic accident, Ian suffered a brain laceration and stroke, was airlifted to San Diego Children's Hospital. Despite doctors' efforts to control the brain hemorrhage, Ian was left brain-dead and is being kept on life support so that his organs can be donated to help other children live.
"I couldn’t stop in time. And I just hit him straight on," Moses said. "The entire family, including Ian's 4-year-old brother, Matthew, was hospitalized with various injuries after the crash, but all except Ian have since recovered," he told CBS “He is pretty much brain-dead right now. He is being kept alive right now, so we are able to say our final goodbyes,” Moses told FOX5. "I want everyone to remember how beautiful he was. And how he would bring joy to other people," Moses concluded.
Drunk driver causes three-car collision after losing control
As of now, a GoFundMe page that was set up by Ian's family, has raised close to $15,000, while the target amount is set at $20,000. "We kindly ask that you give the family the time and space needed to be together for the remainder of Ian’s life left here on earth with us," one section of the page reads. "Please continue to keep Ian's parents in your thoughts and Prayers during this devastating time of need." Orona, who is believed to have caused the accident that resulted in the critical condition of Ian, was apprehended at the scene and taken to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
According to NBC Palm Springs, Orona has been arrested by officers of the California Highway Patrol and later released on bail of $50,000 from the Riverside County jail. The police have accused Orona of making an unsafe turn while driving his 2020 Dodge Charger, which caused him to lose control and collide with three other vehicles. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 13.