Friends Trying to Ease Grief of Boys Orphaned by Car Accident

Moved by the tragedy that killed a Placentia mother and severely injured one of her sons, neighbors, classmates--even strangers--have responded with an outpouring of support for the two orphaned brothers.

A Sept. 20 car crash claimed the life of Micaela Reyes, 51. Her 10-year-old son, Elfego, suffered serious injuries, including the loss of his left arm. Doctors at UCI Medical Center in Orange tried to save the boy’s limb, but were forced to amputate it last week.

Now his older brother, Juan, 18, has been thrust into the role of legal guardian for Elfego, who has Down syndrome.

The plight of the two brothers has compelled a community to help.

A carwash and a bake sale have been held, and a fund has been set up by a volunteer group at UCI Medical Center.

Students at El Camino High School, where Juan attends classes, held a bake sale last week and emptied the change from their pockets.

“It was heartwarming to see the kids and the staff come through with the money,” said teacher Cathy German, whose students came up with the idea to hold the sales and collect donations. “We have a lot of kids who are disadvantaged, and they were digging in their pockets and in their cars where they keep their change.”

Between the bake sale and donations, students have raised about $250 for the brothers, German said. A districtwide electronic mail message also was sent asking for donations, and another bake sale will be held Friday, she said.

Neighbor Jerardo Espinoza, 19, organized a carwash Saturday that raised about $500. Espinoza said he wanted to do something to help the boys since they are like a second family.

“I grew up with them and [Micaela Reyes] treated me like I was her son,” Espinoza said. “She was a nice lady. . . . She was like a father and a mother to both [her sons].”

When the Associates, a UCI Medical Center philanthropic group, heard about the brothers, they stepped in and set up a fund to collect donations; the boys can use the money any way they wish.

“Part of our mission is to assist in patient care and services,” said Barbara Quayle, the group’s vice president. “It’s a very tragic circumstance when a child loses his mother and has such a traumatic injury.”

Family friend Socorro Corales Robles, 64, of Orange was driving Micaela and Elfego Reyes to church when she hit a wall behind the Placentia apartment complex where the Reyeses have lived for several years.

Robles suffered a broken right leg in the accident and has been released from the hospital. Micaela Reyes died at the scene and was buried in her hometown near Mexico City.

Placentia police are still investigating the accident and hope to know more next week when an inspection of the vehicle is completed. Robles may have hit the accelerator instead of the brake pedal, police said.

The Reyes brothers, who grew up without their father, now face an uncertain future.

But Juan has told a social worker that he is determined to care for his younger brother and is prepared to take on the lifelong commitment and responsibility.

“His greatest fear . . . is the chance of his brother being taken away and put in an institution. He said he would never let that happen,” said Jacquelyn Adams, Elfego’s social worker. “He’s very lovingly committed to his brother--and that says a lot for him.”

Adams has been counseling Juan about his options and the importance of completing his education, getting a job to support Elfego and himself, and gaining the resources to take care of his disabled brother. She called him an “impressive young man,” particularly given the emotional crisis he is dealing with.

“Your heart just goes out to this young man who wants to be there for his brother. He said to me, ‘This is like a whole new life for me.’ ”

For now, Juan is staying with relatives in Anaheim. Elfego, who is still listed in critical condition, is expected to remain in the hospital for at least a month.

In addition to the amputation, Elfego underwent an operation to remove part of his colon, which was damaged in the accident.

“He’s been slowly but progressively getting better,” said Dr. Fernando Kafie, one of his physicians. “Every day he’s making good progress, indicating that he’s recovering. He’s still not out of the woods . . . but there’s no reason to think he’s not going to make it. Things are optimistic.”

Donations may be sent to El Camino High School Student Body/The Juan Reyes Fund, 1351 E. Orangethorpe Ave., Placentia, CA 92870. Or to UCI Medical Center, The Associates, attention The Reyes Children’s Fund, 101 The City Drive, Route 100, Orange, CA 92868. Make checks payable to the Associates/Reyes Children’s Fund.