A large tree fell on a car and killed a woman who was sitting in Anaheim while her young son played nearby.
The woman’s husband said he parked the car under the tree because it was a shady spot and he wanted his wife to be comfortable while she was sitting in the car. The family had stopped after church to play tennis with their 10-year-old son.
Manuel Cruz says the family of three often stopped by the tennis courts after church and parked near the large tree to take advantage of the shade.
“She was a fun mom. We always played together, but now I can’t because she’s with God,” said Kevin Cruz, her son.
It’s a heartbreaking new reality for the 10-year-old boy who says he was at Pearson Park playing tennis with his father Manuel Cruz Sunday afternoon when he heard a loud crash.
The father immediately left the courthouse to find a 60-foot Bur Oak tree had fallen on top of his family’s car.
Her husband tried to move the tree but couldn’t do it all by himself. His wife, Maria De la Luz Cruz, 62, was in the back seat.
Authorities say he died instantly.
“We just know that something incredibly strange happened on Sunday,” said Mike Lyster, director of communications for the city of Anaheim.
Every regular park-goer is asking the same question on Monday, ‘how did that happen?'”
Lyster says an arborist examined the tree Sunday night and found healthy water flow throughout.
“There’s no indication with these trees here or the tree we took out last night that they weren’t live, thriving trees,” Lyster said. “I only experience dormancy during the winter.”
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken released a statement saying in part “with sorrow and sympathy, our thoughts and prayers are with the family who have lost a loved one at this unthinkable time.”
