AUBERRY, CA – A 7-year-old boy stayed by his mother’s side for nearly 12 hours after a fatal crash in Auberry, California, over the weekend.
The incident happened when 30-year-old Bailie French lost control of their Subaru Crosstrek on Highway 168, causing it to roll off the road and down an embankment. The vehicle was found hidden in a grove of trees, nearly 200 feet from the highway.
Both French and her son were ejected from the car, with French tragically dying at the scene, per ABC News. Her son survived and walked for hours before being spotted on a mountain road. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and later reunited with his father.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are awaiting toxicology reports to determine if drugs or alcohol were involved. Neither the driver nor the child were wearing seatbelts, and it’s unclear whether French was ejected or exited the vehicle after the car crash in Auberry.
Auto accidents are a serious concern in California, with thousands of collisions reported annually. These incidents often result in significant injury or loss of life. Law enforcement and safety organizations continue to work toward reducing preventable accidents through awareness and enforcement of road safety laws.
