Mom of 4 Killed in Fiery Crash After Another Driver Slumps Over Steering Wheel and Hits Her Vehicle: ‘Car Blew Up Instantly’

A mother of four died after a devastating multi-vehicle crash in San Bernardino, California, while she was on her way to work.

On Jan. 14, Laura Teniz, 57, was driving to her job at a Denny’s restaurant when she was struck while stopped at a red light, according to KTLA, KABC and CBS News.

The San Bernardino Police Department said employees at an ARCO gas station called authorities around 7:15 a.m. local time after witnessing a man driving erratically in a Volvo before appearing to slump over the steering wheel, per CBS News.

Officers responded near Mountain View and Highland avenues and spotted the vehicle traveling at about 80 miles per hour in the wrong direction, authorities said.

Police turned around to follow the Volvo, which then reportedly slammed into a Toyota sedan stopped at a red light. The impact caused both vehicles to burst into flames before crashing into two additional cars.

“Crews arrived to find three vehicles, all with active fire and occupants trapped,” the San Bernardino County Fire Department wrote on X. “Firefighters worked to extinguish flames, extricate victims, and treat the injured.”

Two people were pronounced dead, including Teniz — who was driving the Toyota — and the Volvo driver, who has not been identified, according to multiple outlets. A third person was hospitalized with minor injuries, and a fourth was not hurt.

“It just blew up into a ball of fire,” witness Leeartis Hayes told CBS News. “Just a big ball of fire and nobody could get into the car to get anybody out.”

Teniz’s sister, Patricia Recinos, told KTLA she was devastated and believes her sister “didn’t have a chance” to survive.

”The car blew up instantly into flames,” Recinos said. “I don’t understand. She was just a hard-working woman who was trying to get to work.”

Recinos described Teniz as the “biggest supporter” of her four children, saying she consistently put them first and made sure they had what they needed.

“It’s the most painful grieving,” she said. “And the way it happened to her, it’s even worse.”

Recinos has also launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral and burial costs for her sister, described as “hardworking and compassionate.” The fundraiser has raised more than $10,000 so far.

“This tragedy happened in San Bernardino, just minutes from her workplace, and it was caused by a reckless driver whose actions have forever changed our lives,” she wrote on the fundraiser page. “Now, Laura’s children face the overwhelming responsibility of planning her funeral and burial.”

“She was their rock, their biggest supporter, and the heart of our family,” Recinos added. “Laura worked tirelessly to provide for them and always put their needs before her own.”