'I Could Hear Wails, It Broke My Heart' Says Witness Of Fatal LA Crash

VERNON (CBSLA) — Three people were killed over the weekend in a fiery crash in South Los Angeles involving a driver who was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday, the suspect was traveling down Hoover when police say he ran a red light, hitting the victims' van, carrying a family of five.

Upon impact, the car went up in flames.

Inside were five individuals. Of those, three were killed, including two children. There were two survivors who were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the other vehicle was also taken to the hospital but was released into police custody on suspicion of DUI.

Witnesses described the horrifying scene:

"I wanted to help but I didn't have the nerve. I could hear the wails, it broke my heart," said Rosario Barajas, a witness.

CBS2's Arianna Weingold reported the deceased were a father and two of his children, one only 8-months-old.

Residents and witnesses spent much of the day putting candles at the location of the crash.

The driver has been identified as 30-year-old Jose Garcia. He has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and DUI.

Manuel Celso said he ran to the car immediately and tried to pull the screaming children out.  He said he and another man cut the seatbelt and were able to get a woman and a child to safety.

The family lived less than a block from the crash site.

Neighbors told Weingold they were having trouble coming to grips with the horrific accident.

"It's tragic," says Xavion Womack, "losing a kid like that. It just makes me think about a lot. smaller siblings, too... I just can't imagine [what it's like] for them."

The mother and surviving child were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Their condition Sunday is unknown.