Faith, prayer are keys to what mother says is a true miracle

Photo courtesy of Mikala Hutchinson

By Doug Spoon, Editor

She could dwell on the misfortune that struck her family a week ago, but Amy Homick of Menifee chooses to view it otherwise. What happened during a tragic accident on Dec. 21 – and what has happened since – is nothing short of a miracle, she says.

What happened to her son, 17-year-old Alfredo Guerrero, as he lay pinned under a pickup truck for 30 minutes was that he was still alive. But that’s not even the whole story. For Alfredo, who continues to fight back from major injuries, it was a faith-building experience as well as a life-changing one.

Guerrero and his father Sergio had just put groceries in their car after a trip to Winco in nearby Perris and were walking across the parking lot to visit an adjacent Chinese restaurant just before 1 p.m. on that Saturday. Out of nowhere, a racing white pickup truck driven by an elderly male struck the two, pinning Alfredo under the vehicle. The wheels continued to spin as the truck struck another vehicle and finally was stopped.

Witnesses said the driver, who has not been named, appeared to have a medical emergency, causing the collision. For a half hour, suffering from major injuries, Alfredo lay trapped under the truck as dozens of emergency personnel worked to free him. According to his mother, medics worked carefully to make sure he wouldn’t bleed out during the process.

Today, Alfredo is a patient at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, making what Amy says is a remarkable recovery. Although he has titanium rods in both fractured legs, a plate in his fractured right arm, significant internal injuries and extensive road rash on his back, Alfredo is alert and in good spirits. Today, he sat up in a wheelchair for the first time.

And he says he owes it all to God.

“We talked it about it, and Alfredo said, ‘Mom, it felt like God came into my body while I was laying there. I’ve never felt that calm.’ It truly is a miracle. God is good.

“My son has come full circle in his faith during this. You could say he was born again – or born the first time, maybe. All the times I told him about Jesus … well, on Christmas Day I told him the story of Jesus, about Easter and everything, and he finally understands.”

Alfredo’s father isn’t talking about the accident. Hurled backwards in the collision, he escaped major injuries and continues to experience trauma. When he got up, he couldn’t see where his son was. The whole experience is too difficult for him to discuss, Amy said.

Amy was at work in Temecula when she got the call.

“I remember screaming when I heard, and praying all the way from Temecula,” said Amy, who arrived at the site while Alfredo was still trapped under the truck. “I couldn’t see him because of all the people working on him, but his dad said he was alert the entire time. He was actually joking with the EMTs as they worked. There were a lot of witnesses watching, and I asked everybody to pray for him.”

After he was removed from under the truck, Alfredo was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar. He was later moved to Loma Linda. He received a blood transfusion and his mother spends much of her time washing his back and applying salve to the road rash. Penicillin is helping treat the infection, she said.

“He also has a large gash on his forehead,” she explained. “I’ve learned more about nursing in the last week than I ever have,” Amy said. “Their nurses are very hand-on here. His dad and I try to take shifts.”

The family is staying at a Ronald McDonald House across the street from the hospital. Amy said the comfort of other families staying there and the support of Menifee residents has been a blessing.

Amy says she feels an even closer connection now with her family, which includes Alfredo’s two sisters – oldest sister Mikala Hutchinson and 19-year-old Samantha Guerrero.

“We moved to Menifee about 15 years ago,” Amy said. “This is such a beautiful community to raise kids in. The whole community has rallied behind us.”

Amy said Alfredo was a student at Paloma Valley High School three years ago when he underwent surgery on both legs for an Achilles tendon lengthening procedure. He was unable to complete his studies at Paloma but continues in independent study.

“I can’t believe we have to go through this again, but if anyone can do it, it’s him,” Alfredo’s mother said. “He’s so resilient.”

There have been no updates from the Sheriff’s Department about the unnamed driver who also was transported to a medical facility. The initial report was that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor, and the investigation is ongoing.

“I personally forgive the person,” Amy said. “I know Alfredo and his father still have some things to work through, but accidents happen and I hold no blame or grudges. The most important thing is that my son gets better.”

A GoFundMe site has been verified and is available for those wishing to make donations. It can be accessed here:

Alfredo Guerrero GoFundMe site