Car crash leaves mother dead; 7-year-old stays by her side for 12 hours, reports say

USA Today

05-02-2025

Car crash leaves mother dead; 7-year-old stays by her side for 12 hours, reports say
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Driver rescued after vehicle goes off cliff
Firefighters used a rope rescue system to pull a driver to safety after their car went 100 feet off a cliff in Oregon.
A 7-year-old boy stayed by his mother's side for almost 12 hours after they were involved in a car crash on a California highway in which the mother died over the weekend, reports say.
The two were returning to their home in Tollhouse from a friend's house Saturday night when the mother lost control of the vehicle and it swerved off Highway 168 in Auberry, according to reports from ABC 30 and the Los Angeles Times, citing California Highway Patrol.
The vehicle, a Subaru Crosstrek, was later found nearly 200 feet off an embankment after it rolled over multiple times, authorities told ABC 30.
"It was basically sitting in a grove of trees, covered, and not visible from the highway," CHP officer John Marsh told ABC 30.
Authorities told media the woman and her son were both thrown from the car. While the mother died in the accident, the boy survived and stayed by her side for roughly 12 hours before he was spotted walking alone on a mountain road, the LA Times reported.
"We got a call of a child walking on the four-lane section of the 168 and the parties who found the child basically walked down to where the crash had happened," Marsh said, according to ABC 30.
Lookout alert issued
CHP had been looking for the mother and son after they did not return home as expected and were still missing Sunday morning, ABC 30 and the LA Times reported. A lookout alert was issued, and the boy was spotted before noon walking along the shoulder of the highway where the crash took place.
7-year-old treated for injuries
The 7-year-old was taken to local hospital, where he was treated for several injuries including a broken arm, and reunited with his father, according to ABC 30.
CHP did not immediately return USA TODAY's request for more information on the crash and how it occurred. However, ABC 30 and LA Times reported the cause of the crash is still under investigation and CHP is waiting for the toxicology report to determine if alcohol or drugs were a factor.
Authorities believe both the mother and son were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, the media reports said.
The victim was identified as 30-year-old Bailie French, of Yokuts Valley, by the Fresno County Coroner's Office, ABC 30 and Fresno Bee reported.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [e-mail] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq.