Fatal accident leaves house filled with children wondering: what now?
An unbuckled seat beat set the stage for a family's terrible loss
Reporter: Tammy Vo
NEAR TUBAC, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - Last Friday, Alexis Real was driving on Interstate 19 when her new tire blew out, causing her car to roll. She was not wearing her seatbelt and was ejected, dying at the scene of the crash. Her cousin Annette Morgan, is realizing just how fast life can change.
"It's the only life you get. You don't get a second chance. Once it's done, it's done. There's no going back" said Morgan.
Reporter Tammy Vo asked Morgan, "Do you think if had she been wearing her seatbelt, she might still be here?"
"I do. I think she may have walked away with minor injuries. It's a tough pill to swallow to think that one little thing is the difference between having your loved one here and gone" said Morgan. Morgan remembers seeing photos of Real in the past, with no seatbelt on. She wishes she had said something to her cousin about the importance of buckling up.
Real was the mother of two boys, ages five and two. They don't see their father much because he lives in Mexico. Real's family describes her as fun-loving and geneours. Recenly, she took in her sister's family of nine because they needed help. Twelve people were living in Alexis' tiny Rio Rico apartment, so she got a second job.
"She said 'come stay with me, I'll help you get on your feet'. She had a huge heart" said Morgan.
Real's boyfriend, Joe Martinez, was also in the car and was unrestrained according to officers, but he survived. Now, her family is desperately trying to gather $5,000 dollars needed by Thursday to bury Real.
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