KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Amid heartbreak and devastation, Salomon Vazquez wants to thank the community for supporting his family during the hardest time in their lives.
Not even a week after his wife, Angelica Hernandez-Valentin, and their children were involved in a bad crash on 435, Vazquez sat down with 41 Action News to provide an update.
"I don't understand how I feel yet. But it's something that no one would ever want to happen," Vazquez said.
How does a father cope with losing two of his four children in the blink of an eye?
EXTENDED COVERAGE:
Couple first to call 911 describes horrific aftermath of I-435 crash that killed 2 children
Family speaks about tragic loss of 2 young sisters in I-435 wreck: 'There are no words'
Vazquez doesn't know that answer yet, but he does know one thing.
"Vamos adelante," he says.
That means, "we're going to keep going."
The family was on their way to a party at Chuck E. Cheese but never made it.
Vazquez was going into work at 5 that day, so he wasn't with them. He got a terrible phone call that evening.
"I asked, 'What about my daughters? Where are they?' And the official told me, 'Your daughters passed away.'" Vazquez said. "How?"
Aron, 14; Jairo, 9; and Hernandez-Valentin are recovering in the hospital.
Hernandez-Valentin had surgery on her ribs and arm. She is able to speak and is doing better, Vazquez says.
Jairo's leg was amputated, which is hard for Vazquez to see.
The loss of one-year-old Teresa and seven-year-old Ruth is crushing.
"They were little angels," Vazquez cried.
They have a lot of support and are a much-loved family.
"We're Latino, we're Mexican. We have parties all the time. And at each party, my kids stole the show," Vazquez said.
Little Ruth was always singing and dancing, he says. She played the guitar. She loved everyone.
She had dreams of becoming a doctor.
"That same Sunday, she was going to play soccer. She was going to play in her first soccer game. She was excited. She had her shoes, her uniform. But it never happened. She never played," Vazquez said.
Through the grief, the family said all they can do is look to the future.
"Why? Why? You can't explain it or understand it. But, we'll move forward," Vazquez said.
The family hopes mom and the two sons will all be moved to the same hospital.
Supporters have started GoFundMe pages to help.
Vazquez thanks all those who are praying for and supporting his family.
