A devastating crash left a Texas family devastated after their car was struck by a suspected street racer as they returned from an amusement park in Grand Prairie on Saturday, August 10. The accident claimed the lives of two parents and two of their children, while a third child remains in critical condition.
Jessie Rosales, his wife Lorena, and their children Anthony, 17, Stephanie, 13, and Angel, 6, were involved in the tragic incident when their Chevy Traverse was struck by a speeding Dodge Charger. The family was heading home after spending the day at Texas Six Flags and dining at Panda Express.
According to authorities, two drivers in red and white Dodge Chargers were allegedly racing each other when the Rosales family turned onto a side street. The red Charger, driven by 20-year-old Jaime Mesa, collided with the Rosales’ car at high speed, causing it to roll over twice before bursting into flames. Three family members died at the scene and the fourth succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Anthony, the sole survivor, remains in critical condition as of Wednesday, August 14.
A witness, Yvette Acosta, who captured the accident on camera from a nearby gas station, described the horrific scene. “It was devastating and very painful because so many people were trying to help them and they couldn’t get close to them,” she said. KTVT“I haven’t been able to sleep well. Listening to them and not being able to get them out is very painful,” Acosta added.
Jaime Mesa, the alleged driver of the red Charger, faces multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and speeding on a highway causing death. Anthony Morales, 22, who was allegedly driving the white Charger, also faces charges of speeding on a highway causing death and serious bodily injury. Mesa was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Anthony survived the crash because he was thrown from the vehicle, according to a GoFundMe Page It was set up to support him and his surviving siblings, Jessie and Natalie. The campaign aims to raise money for the family’s funerals, Anthony’s medical bills and legal expenses. So far, the campaign has raised more than $56,000 of its $100,000 goal.
“His brother Jessie and sister Natalie have stepped up to help him through this physical battle, on top of all the other battles they will face,” the page’s description reads. “This sweet group of siblings has a long, hard road ahead of them, physically, emotionally, and financially.”
The children’s aunt, Delia Rosales, expressed the family’s disbelief and grief, saying WFAA“We can’t believe it. We’re still waiting for my brother to come. He’s not showing up. We were always together. We traveled together. Basically, we were all a close family.”
