Rancho Santa Margarita infant killed in suspected DUI crash
An 11-month-old boy died and paramedics rushed his parents to the hospital after getting hit by a suspected DUI driver.
"For the parents, my heart goes out to them," said Orange County resident Gavin Geselowitz. "I know how much it hurts to lose a child. The whole reason we do this is to comfort them and let them know they're not alone."
According to the California Highway Patrol, Hayley and Kyle Ohlwiler were pushing a stroller, with their 11-month-old boy inside, along the Antonio Parkway at Oaktree around 4:15 p.m. when a 54-year-old man jumped the curb and ran them down.
"It's unreal to think somebody came up when people are walking," said Coto de Caza resident Lori Lazerson, who lost her daughter four years ago. "I mean it's just unreal. Just unreal."
Lazerson and other families that recently lost children paid their respects at the crash site. The grieving families, including Josette Rofer, arranged a memorial for the baby and tied blue ribbons around the trees near the scene. Rofer said that someone did the same thing for her after her son was killed while riding his bike.
"When Bradley passed away and there were hundreds and hundreds of green ribbons wrapped around our trees in our neighborhood. It was like a hug," said Rofer. "Every bow around the tree was like a hug from the community."
In addition to the kind acts from strangers, the members of the Ohlwiler's Latter Day Saint's church rallied behind the family following the baby's tragic death.
"As a ward family, we'll pray and fast collectively for Kyle and Hayley and sweet little Madden," said church member Shelley Smith.
The driver Daniel Lenihan was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. The cause of the crash was under investigation, but the suspect's Hyundai four-door sedan left the roadway and traveled several hundred feet on the sidewalk before coming to rest on the side of an embanked hill.
Lenihan is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
