7-Year-Old Clinging To Life After High-Speed Crash Near Abilene
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW) - A mother who has buried two children this month, is faced with making a tough decision for another child clinging to life.
Santana Arredondo celebrated his 7th birthday at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth. He and his youngest brother were flown to the hospital from Abilene following a rollover crash on August 4th. 9 month old Milo Murdock died, while Santana remains on life support.
"I've been crying so much, I feel like I can't cry anymore," his mother, Veronica Arredondo says.
The family was returning to their home in Abilene after visiting Fort Phantom Lake. Arredondo's boyfriend, Raymond Almazan, was driving a blue Ford Explorer, traveling southbound on FM 600 when police say, the car veered off the roadway and hit a culvert. The car flipped several times.
"I woke up on grass, looking up to my baby not in my arms," Arredondo says.
Many of the passengers were ejected. One of Arredondo's 5 year old twin daughters, Lavelia Rentana, died the morning of the crash. None were wearing seat-belts. Arredondo says they had all fallen asleep.
"I shouldn't be here myself. I was holding my baby," she says.
Holding on to hope, Arredondo, recorded the moment when Santana opened his eyes for the first time since the accident.
Encouraged by what she believes are signs of progress in her 7 year old, the mom wants Santana to have a tracheostomy, surgery to keep him alive. She says doctors have warned her the outlook is grim.
"[Doctors say] the injury in his brain is so severe that he won't get up or move or talk or run," she explains.
Arredondo says she has experienced one miracle already; one of her 5 year old twins survived the crash without a scratch. She believes another miracle is possible.
"I'm not giving up. He still has life in him," the mom says.
Cook Children's Hospital released the following statement to CBS 11:
"This situation is any parent's worst nightmare, having lost two children with one clinging to life. Cook Children's is doing everything possible to ensure Santana is receiving the finest care. We have given Ms. Arrendondo treatment options to consider but the hospital has made no decisions, other than, continuing the support we've been providing since Santana arrived. Cook Children's believes every child's life is sacred and deserves our strongest effort."
Abilene Police do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, but say speed may have been. The investigation into the crash continues.
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