A father-of-four passed away and three were hospitalized after a semi-truck plowed into 11 vehicles along a highway in California.
The horrifying incident had occurred at 5:40 pm on Interstate 5 in south Sacramento, the California Highway Patrol confirmed.
39-year-old Joel Broussard, the driver of a red Chrysler, was killed after the horrendous accident.
His grieving mother, Irma Broussard, said: “I was the last person he talked to. It just made me think what was on his mind when that truck hit him from behind. He was my baby.”
Video shared by KCRA shows the orange semi-truck moving fast down the southbound lanes before crashing into the back of BMW station wagon.
The impact sent the BMW into another vehicle but the semi-truck continued to push through other cars.
Vehicles collided into one another until a silver car fell onto its side and stopped the semi-truck.
The California Highway Patrol closed southbound Interstate 5 at Florid Road to let officers clear the scene, according to KCRA.
Officers do not think alcohol or drugs were a factor in the fatal crash but are probing why the driver didn’t slow down.
Broussard, a father-of-four, was pronounced dead at the scene. He had been driving home from work after calling his mother to wish her a happy birthday.
Heartbroken Irma said: “It was my birthday and Joel would always call me on his way home from work. But this particular day, he calls and he’s singing ‘Happy Birthday!’
“He ended the conversation like he always does. He says, ‘Alright, young lady. Love you. Alright, young lady. Love you!’ And that was at 5:17. At 5:40, my baby was gone.”
Broussard’s wife, Angie, and their four children, were waiting for him at home when the incident happened.
In an interview with KCRA, Angie said: “I felt like my heart was turning inside out, over and over and over again.
“He was an amazing dad, amazing husband, great friend. He always wanted the best for them. Always wanted them to be their better selves.”
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