An Orange County father and his son are grateful to be alive after a high-speed pileup in Huntington Beach left one man dead and three others hospitalized.
Mark Ahrens recounted the terrifying moments just before the collision, which occurred around 3 p.m. at the intersection of Heil Avenue and Goldenwest Street. Officers believe the driver of a gray Tesla Model 3 ran the red light, lost control, and struck multiple vehicles. Debris from the crash also hit additional cars, with at least seven vehicles involved, including Ahrens’ minivan.
“I am going to replay it probably every time I get in my car,” Ahrens said. Moments before the crash, he had been singing Christmas carols with his son, Malcom.
Ahrens described seeing the speeding car just seconds before impact: “I just had two or three seconds. I saw a car zooming through and I just instantly, my brain told me, ‘This is going to be a big impact. Hang on. Brace yourself.’”
Good Samaritans pulled Ahrens and his son from their minivan before paramedics arrived. While Ahrens sustained minor cuts, Malcom walked away unharmed.
“I hope I have a long life ahead of me, but I have had an amazing life,” Ahrens said. “You want your kids to have a long life too.”
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