PHOENIX — "Right now, we're just happy that justice is going in the right direction," says Francisco Murrieta.
A step toward closure.
It's been four days since Murrieta lost his wife, Crystal Garcia, and their three boys lost their mother. The person behind the crash, 18-year-old Jaxon Collins, is now back behind bars.
"I don’t want to worry, focus, give him any attention. He doesn’t deserve anything. He took somebody beautiful from us," says Murrieta.
Detectives say Collins admitted to having two beers before getting behind the wheel and crashing into the family's car near 40th Street and Greenway Road just minutes into the new year.
The crash killed 27-year-old Crystal.
Her husband Francisco and their three sons were also in the car. One of them is still recovering.
"Danny is healing very well; he's doing very good. Dominic, he's just so strong. I'm so proud of him. I think he's being stronger than I am," says Murrieta.
According to police documents, Collins' blood-alcohol level was .17. A data recorder also indicated that Collins was speeding, traveling nearly 90 miles per hour before the collision.
"I looked left, I looked right, I looked both ways... and I didn't see it. If I would've seen headlights, I would've just waited until those headlights passed but, I didn't see anything. It just shows the speed, the factor, he was going double the limit almost," says Murrieta.
He is left with regret, wishing he would have taken another route home. He's getting through each day with support from the community.
"They're just going above and beyond and I'm blessed," says Murrieta.
Also, with the support from family, who are helping take care of the boys.
"I think the boys see a lot of Crystal through us. So, I think that's why they've been comfortable staying here," says Cynthia Ortiz, Crystal's sister.
To help support the family, an online fundraiser has been started.
