Man Helps Save Children Trapped In Canal After Horrific Highway 4 Crash
DISCOVERY BAY (KPIX 5) – An East Bay man recalls his efforts to save a family trapped inside a van following a fiery crash over the weekend.
LeQuinn Johnson was driving to Discovery Bay with his family when they saw two cars crash.
"I told my wife to stop the car. I jumped out," Johnson told KPIX 5.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a van was headed west on Highway 4 during Sunday night's storm, when a pickup truck went into the van's lane, hitting head on.
The van, with a family of six inside, went down the canal.
"I ran down there, jumped in and didn't even think. I pulled out the one guy put him on the side of the riverbank and then I went back and got the three kids," Johnson recalled.
His wife and daughter tried to comfort the children, ages 2, 9 and 10.
"They were like 'My mom is in the car. My dad is in the car'. So I went back down and tried to save them but I couldn't because they were pinned under the car."
Both parents died at the scene. The children were taken to Tracy Sutter Hospital for minor injuries.
Johnson said he's glad he was there to help. He jumped into the canal with his wallet and cellphone in his pocket, but he would do it again.
"If it was me or if it was my family, I would want somebody to help us," Johnson said.
The driver of the truck is recovering from serious injuries. Police are investigating why the truck crossed into the van's path.
