CVUSD Crash Victims Recover While Family Asks Tough Questions

A mother and her daughter were recovering in a local hospital on Tuesday after suffering serious injuries in a crash on Interstate 10 last Thursday.

They were traveling in a Coachella Valley Unified School District van en route to the airport for a college visit when the van flipped over on the freeway.

The driver had lost control of the van, but it’s unclear if the vehicle was as safe as it should be.

“It’s pretty hard,” said Martin Mora, whose wife and daughter are hold up at Desert Regional Medical Center. “It’s pretty bad.”

Martin’s wife of 19 years, Maria, has a broken shoulder and ribs.

Her neck is also supported with a brace.

“She cannot move that much,” said Mora. “She’s a little bit more bad than Monica.”

Martin’s daughter Monica, 17, says she doesn’t remember the crash.

She sleeps next to a bundle of balloons, get well cards, dolls and a message board from friends from Desert Mirage High School in Thermal sending their best.

“I was in Mexico when I received a call that they had an accident and I came back,” said Mora. “They are here in the hospital, but the best thing (is) they’re living, so I’m happy.”

Monica suffered a fractured back, hip, chest bones, left hand, a broken clavicle and ribs.

Questions were still being raised about the condition of the van last Thursday.

According to the school district, the oil, gas and tires were checked.

Six people in total were injured — all of them were on the way to the Ontario Airport for a flight to Cal State Chico University.

Mora said he is still waiting to hear the school district’s explanation on how the crash happened and if the vehicle was safe.

KESQ has filed a California open records request to see the van’s maintenance records.

That along with the district’s written procedure when it comes to replacing the tires, brakes and other parts.