A truck driver killed when an out-of-control SUV slammed into it in California on Aug. 24, was a beloved father, his family said.
Fiery Crash
Both vehicles then smashed into the center divider and burst into flames, killing Cabrera and the driver of the SUV.Video footage showed the vehicles on fire and traffic backed up for miles due to part of the freeway being shut down for over half a day.
“He was a hardworking man, loved his family very much—always smiling, thinking of others. He had a big heart. He gave me the most beautiful 12 years of marriage and three beautiful babies,” she said.
“[They’re] hurting for their daddy. He came home every morning straight to give us all kisses when we were home sleeping. We miss those.”
‘Great Father’
Cabrera’s 11-year-old son Joseph told CBS that his father was very caring.“He was a good father,” the boy said. “He cared about others, he was a nice man.”
“He was a great father. He was always there for his wife and kids,” added Jaime Chavez, the victim’s brother-in-law.
“He was a great man, a loyal man. He was always there for his family and for everyone,” added family friend Cecilia Vega.
Cabrera was driving the last load of his shift for drop-off when the crash occurred. The load was approximately 40,000 gallons of fuel.
Fundraiser Launched
A GoFundMe fundraising campaign has been launched for the family.
“Due to a reckless driver Leo Cabrera has passed on the line of duty [sic], he leaves a wife and 2 kids anything helps,” wrote Moses Garibay, who launched the fundraiser.
“As we all know Leo is no longer with us. Leo’s accident was 1 in a million.”
He added, “As of now the latest news is the ranger rover hit him right in between both tanks and cause [sic] him to lose control. California Highway Patrol says the skid marks are about a football field long so we know he controlled it as much as possible.”
