Seventeen-year-old Lene Tome says that her mother always put her kids first, and that her little brother’s first word was her name. NBC 7’s Regina Ruiz has more about the grieving family.
A family is mourning to loss of a mother and an 8-year old son killed in a crash on Thursday in Escondido.
NBC 7 spoke to the family of 39-year old Enedina Dominguez who say the mother of four had always put her children first. Now, her daughters say they are trying to stay strong after the heartbreaking tragedy.
“Once I found out that the car crashed, my world stopped,” Dominguez’s 17-year old daughter Lene Tome said. “I knew that she was with me, so is my brother. I knew that they were going to watch me because they were going to help me be strong for my daughter.”
Dominguez was a stay-at home mom and took care of her 14-year old daughter who has Cystic Fibrosis. She had three other children, including 17-year old Lene Tome and a 21-year old daughter and 8-year old Alex, who was also killed in the crash.
“Whenever we were sad, she was very positive. She made sure that we were always happy. She didn’t just say ‘oh it’s going to be ok,’ she gave us a reason to be happy,” Tome said.
Both the mother and son died Thursday when Dominguez’s car was hit by another car as she turning left onto East Washington Street in Escondido.
Escondido police say the impact was enough to fold her car in half.
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Dominguez and her son Alex was taken to Palomar Medical Center where they later died of their injuries.
“Together they were a team. They died together as a team. So I am glad that he wasn't alone and she wasn't alone. Because I know my mom loved my little brother,” Tome said.
She says her 8-year old brother was a blessing and a joy in her life and they both shared a special bond.
“I helped raise him, with my mom. So, as he grew up, I was with my mom helping changing him, feeding him, seeing him grow up. His first word was my name,” Tome said.
Tome, who has a 6-month old daughter, says her mom had always been there to help her with her baby. The family had all lived together with Dominguez’s long-time boyfriend who is Alex’s dad.
They say they lost so much in an instant but are turning to their faith to make it through each moment.
“Every time I lost a relative or a dog, she would say ‘Okay Lene, you need to be strong.’ Yeah, they are gone but Jesus has them now,” Tome said.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses.
