By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-06 19:45:49 | Updated at 2026-08-06 22:26:40
2 hours ago
A California father has been left heartbroken after his wife and two children were killed in a crash after an alleged drunk driver ran a red light and plowed into their car.
Felix Valenzuela, 42, was driving through an intersection in Apple Valley last week when his wife, 39-year-old Theodora 'Tedi' Wilson, and two of their children, Rosie, 7, and Felix, 6, were killed in a three-car smash.
Hendrix Arcadio Collado, 43, allegedly ran a red light and hit the car from behind, sending the family hurtling into oncoming traffic.
'I woke up inside the car with all the airbags deployed,' Valenzuela tearfully told KTLA News from his hospital bed.
'I couldn’t breathe or speak. I looked over at my wife and tried waking her up, shaking her and I got no response. I tried calling out to my kids. They were flopped over and lifeless in their car seats.'
Valenzuela and his 16-year-old daughter Elizabeth survived the devastating impact but were rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The father suffered serious fractures and internal trauma, while his teenage daughter sustained complex spinal and skull injuries that required emergency surgery.
Collado was charged with three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and two counts of reckless driving causing great bodily injury, all of which he pleaded not guilty to.
Felix Valenzuela, 42, of California, is heartbroken after his wife and two of their young children were killed in a horrific car crash in Apple Valley last week
The crash left his wife 39-year-old Theodora 'Tedi' Wilson and their two youngest children, Rosie, 7, and Felix, 6, dead at the scene
Valenzuela (right) and his 16-year-old daughter Elizabeth (left) survived the impact but were rushed to the hospital with severe, life-threatening injuries
'They killed three people in my family. Three innocent people didn't deserve to die,' Valenzuela told Fox 11 Los Angeles in an interview before the suspect's identity was released.
'She will be missed a lot,' he added while speaking about his wife of 22 years, according to KTLA. 'And my two little babies. I won’t get to see what they could’ve become. I just love them so much and I will see them again one day.'
The deadly crash occurred shortly before midnight on July 29 at the intersection of Yucca Loma Road and Apple Valley Road, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
A preliminary investigation found that Collado, who was driving a 2015 Dodge Caravan, was traveling northbound when he allegedly ran a red light and T-boned the family's eastbound Volkswagen Tiguan.
The impact sent the Valenzuelas' SUV crashing into a 2019 Toyota Highlander traveling alongside it.
His wife, Tedi, and the couple's two youngest children were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
The deaths came after the suspect, identified as 43-year-old Hendrix Arcadio Collado, allegedly ran a red light and sent the family's car hurtling into oncoming traffic
Valenzuela said that Tedi - his wife of more than two decades - was a dedicated registered nurse and director of labor and delivery at Desert Valley Hospital
Collado pleaded not guilty to three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and two counts of reckless driving causing great bodily injury on Wednesday
'She was a good person. She didn't deserve this,' Valenzuela told Fox, pausing to wipe away tears with a tissue. 'My kids were amazing!'
He and his surviving daughter continue to recover, with the teenager remaining hospitalized in critical condition at Loma Linda University Medical Center as of Thursday, according to KTLA.
Collado was also hospitalized with major injuries, while the driver of the third vehicle was treated at the scene, according to police.
Police initially said drugs or alcohol were suspected factors in the crash, though authorities have not publicly confirmed whether toxicology results have verified impairment.
Booking records revealed that Collado was arrested shortly after the fatal collision and initially booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs causing bodily injury and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Records also show his bail was set at $250,000.
Collado made his first court appearance Wednesday morning during a video hearing at the Rancho Cucamonga Superior Courthouse.
There, he pleaded not guilty to three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and two counts of reckless driving causing great bodily injury.
Valenzuela suffered serious fractures and internal trauma from the crash
Valenzuela said his teenage daughter sustained complex spinal and cranial injuries that required emergency surgery and was 'basically decapitated'
Valenzuela described his wife and children as the greatest joys of his life
Speaking to Fox, Valenzuela said he did not believe the driver set out to harm anyone, but that the crash was a heartbreaking reminder of the deadly consequences of reckless driving.
'I know he didn't do it on purpose, but you shouldn't be driving under the influence, period,' he told the outlet. 'My injuries are nothing compared to what my kids went through, and my wife.'
He described his wife and children as the greatest joys of his life, adding that Tedi - his wife of more than two decades - was a dedicated registered nurse and director of labor and delivery at Desert Valley Hospital.
'Be careful out there,' Valenzuela told KTLA. 'Don’t drink and drive. Just enjoy your family, because from one moment to the next, your life can change completely.'
His sister launched a GoFundMe page to support Valenzuela and his daughter through the 'difficult days ahead' as they mourn the loss of the rest of their family.
'Our family is experiencing one of the most difficult times we’ve ever faced. A tragic car accident took the lives of three deeply loved members of our family,' the description read.
Valenzuela and his surviving daughter continue to recover, with the teenager remaining hospitalized in critical condition
Valenzuela said he did not believe the driver set out to kill, but that the crash was a heartbreaking reminder of the deadly consequences of reckless driving
'She will be missed a lot,' Valenzuela said, speaking about his wife
'Those babies had so much life ahead of them. Tedi is so loved by her friends, family and the community,' it added.
'No words can truly express the pain of losing multiple generations of family in such a sudden and devastating way.'
The fundraiser had already raised more than $79,100 of its $100,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon.
