Three Family Members Die on the Way to Baseball Game — What We Know
A routine drive to a local baseball game turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when three members of the same family were killed in a car crash on Friday evening. The victims, identified as David Morales, 45, his wife Elena Morales, 42, and their 14-year-old son Jacob, were on their way to watch Jacob’s younger brother play in a Little League game when their SUV was struck by a speeding vehicle that ran a red light.
The accident happened around 6:15 p.m. at a busy intersection in Riverside County, California. According to police, the Morales family was driving through a green light when a Dodge Charger, traveling at an “extremely high rate of speed,” barreled into the passenger side of their vehicle. The impact was so violent that the SUV was pushed into a traffic pole and flipped onto its side.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but all three family members were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Charger, a 23-year-old man whose name has not yet been released, was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Authorities say he will likely face criminal charges once released.
Witnesses say the crash sounded like an explosion. “I was sitting at the gas station across the street, and I just heard this boom, like metal crushing metal,” said James Hartwell, a bystander. “When I ran over, people were already trying to open the doors. But it was too late.”
Jacob, a freshman in high school, was described by friends and teachers as kind, funny, and dedicated—especially when it came to supporting his younger brother, 10-year-old Lucas, on the baseball field. According to family members, the Moraleses were a tight-knit family who rarely missed a game.
Lucas was already at the baseball field with his team when the crash occurred. Family friends had driven him earlier so he could warm up before the match. He was told about the accident shortly after.
Now, the community is reeling from the loss. A memorial has formed at the crash site, with candles, flowers, and handwritten notes left by neighbors, classmates, and teammates. A GoFundMe created by a family friend to support Lucas and cover funeral expenses has already raised over $150,000 in just 24 hours.
“It’s hard to understand how something like this happens,” said family friend Marisol Torres. “They were just going to a baseball game. A normal day. And now, Lucas has to grow up without his parents or his big brother.”
Police continue to investigate the crash and have confirmed that speed was a major factor. They’re also checking whether alcohol or drugs played a role.
In the meantime, the community has rallied behind Lucas, promising to keep his parents’ and brother’s memory alive. His Little League team plans to hold a tribute before their next game, and grief counselors have been brought into his school.
What was supposed to be a fun evening at the ballpark has turned into an unimaginable loss—and a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change.
