A California mother has recounted the devastating moment she learned her two children had been killed in a horrific car crash, with police confirmation coming through a question about whether her son wore braces.
Tragic Collision on State Route 18
Adrianna Cardenas, aged 25, and her 18-year-old brother, Adam Cardenas, lost their lives in a fiery head-on collision on Friday. The California Highway Patrol reported that the siblings were travelling westbound on State Route 18 in a Tesla Model Y, en route to pick up a cousin from UC Santa Barbara, when a Cadillac travelling in the wrong direction veered into their lane.
'For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the Cadillac veered into the westbound lane of SR-18, directly in front of the Tesla's path of travel, and a head-on crash occurred,' the CHP stated to local media. 'The crash caused both vehicles to catch on fire.' The driver of the Cadillac, who has not yet been publicly identified, was also killed in the incident.
A Mother's Harrowing Identification
Maria Cardenas, the mother of the victims, rushed to the scene after being alerted to the crash. In an emotional interview with KABC, she described how police officers asked her questions to confirm the identities of her children.
'They were like, "Tell me about the kids," and I'm trying to describe my daughter. And I'm just like, "She just got a haircut, and she has glasses,"' Cardenas recounted through tears. 'And they said, "Tell me about the boy," and I said, "He has glasses, too," and then they asked me if he had braces, and I said, "Yes, he still has braces."'
She added, 'My baby still had braces. Just sick to my stomach, you know?' This poignant detail became the heartbreaking confirmation of her worst fears.
Investigation and Family Anguish
The California Highway Patrol confirmed that the investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities awaiting toxicology results for the Cadillac driver. Maria Cardenas expressed her profound grief and confusion over the circumstances.
'It's just so tragic to lose both my children, because somebody might have been in a rush or late,' she said. 'I don't know what was on this person's mind, or what rush this early in the morning. But I know my daughter is a good driver, and she had no time to react.'
Remembering Adrianna and Adam
The grieving mother painted a picture of her daughter as a responsible and caring young woman. 'We always wanted our kids to do better. That was our only daughter, and she took on the "mom" responsibilities. I'm her mom, but literally she [was] our mom, and very helpful,' Cardenas shared, highlighting Adrianna's protective nature towards her younger brother.
Family member Barbara Gonzales-Whittington spoke of the siblings' extraordinary bond. 'From the moment they entered our lives, they brought love, laughter, and light to everyone around them,' she said. 'They shared a bond that was rare and beautiful - nearly inseparable - and their closeness was something that could be felt by all who knew them.'
She added, 'Adrianna and Adam were both explorers at heart, filled with curiosity and a deep passion for discovering new places and experiences. They embraced life with joy and enthusiasm, always eager to learn, grow, and create memories together.'
Community Support and Funeral Arrangements
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Maria Cardenas, her husband, and their surviving son, Alex. The fundraiser description reads: 'With heavy hearts, we share the loss of our beloved children, Adrianna and Adam, who were taken from us in a tragic car accident through no fault of their own. Our family is doing everything we can to honor their lives and lay them to rest with the love and dignity they deserve.'
A funeral service for Adrianna and Adam Cardenas has been scheduled for February 3, as the family and community begin the painful process of mourning and remembrance.
