Family, friends remember 14-year-old boy killed in rollover crash in Los Banos

Friday, October 2, 2020
14-year-old boy killed in rollover crash in Los Banos, CHP says
Officials say a 13-year-old was driving with three other teens just north of Sylvester Road when the boy lost control of the car.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- It's a heartache unlike any other Beatrice Lombedo has ever felt.

Her 14-year-old brother Angel Ibanez is gone, his life taken in a fatal car accident in Los Banos. The pain has been unbearable.

"This time he didn't call, he didn't call to pick him up," said Lombedo.

Family hold each other tightly as they remember the loving teen who touched so many lives at such a young age.

"He was the happiest kid, always happy, never sad," she said.

Lives were forever changed Tuesday, along Ingomar Grade near Sylvester Road. Angel was in a Chevrolet Suburban with three other teens, including his best friend Isaac Sanchez. A 13-year-old was behind the wheel.

According to CHP, they were driving too fast as they approached this curve in the road.

"As soon as he turns the wheel that is when the truck starts losing control," said Sanchez.

The SUV rolled over several times.

Sanchez had his hand outside the window right as it happened. "I just remember when it was hitting against the road," he said. The SUV came to rest on its roof.

According to Sanchez everyone got out immediately, except Angel. As they tried to pull him out they realized something was wrong.

"They checked his pulse and he wasn't breathing, from before the ambulance even pulled up," he said.

Sanchez and Angle were like brothers sharing countless memories together. He felt he had to call his family.

They couldn't believe the words they were hearing.

"He called us right away and said Angel does not want to wake up, Angel doesn't want to wake up," said Cassandra Ibanez, Angel's sister. They didn't even know he had left.

A new memorial now sits along Ingomar Grade joining two others just a few feet away.

"It's always that curb, it's always that curb. And they can make it straight and they don't make it straight," she said.

CHP officers say the Suburban belonged to the parents of one of the passengers. Charges are currently pending as the investigation continues.

The family is now demanding justice.

"I think that we need justice for him, because no 13-year-old should be driving a vehicle," said Lombedo.

CHP officers say drugs and alcohol were not a factor in this crash.

Family have setup a GoFundMe account.