Authorities say two of the victims were from Rockford, Illinois. The other two men were from Madison.More >>
MADISON (WKOW) - As crews work to repair a damaged power pole, a memorial reflects what happened here. Four lives lost, police say, from drunk driving. The mother of 18 year old victim Jose Cabrera-Hernandez is grieving the loss of her son.
"I think that is how people will remember him," said Sara Hernandez. "Him smiling with that big smile on his face."
Hernandez says her son leaves behind a girlfriend and a one year old child. He died after, police say, his friend, Victor Benitez, got behind the wheel after drinking. His other passengers, Phankham Chitanavong, Alan Michael Dickson and Martin Sanchez-Gutierrez also passed away. Jose's mother says she's not angry at the driver.
"I wish you nothing but a good future," said Hernandez.
Police believe his future will include prison time. They're preparing to charge him with four counts of homicide by drunk driving. Authorities believe the five were drinking at McGraw Park in Fitchburg moments before they got into the fatal crash on Lacy Road.
The mother of Jose says she has a message for other teens.
"I ask them to think a little bit about their parents," she said. "And I ask them to please try to change because we are the ones who are suffering as their parents."
Police say they are holding the driver on a probation violation as the homicide charges are pending. While they believe this crash was a result of drunk driving, police say they are still waiting on toxicology results.
