Grandpa of 9 was on extra shift for Christmas gifts when his postal car was hit, cops say
To make sure he had enough money to buy Christmas gifts for his five children and nine grandchildren, Joel Perales worked an extra shift as a postal worker on his day off.
But as the 58-year-old worked to deliver mail on Monday in Commerce, California, a car slammed into the back of his postal truck and killed him, police say, according to KTLA. The crash, which happened around 10 a.m., pinned the man underneath a car, police say.
Adrian Perales, the man’s nephew, told ABC30 that the passing of his uncle is “going to be a hard loss, especially at this time, the holidays and Christmastime.”
“Of all days, not thinking that this is going to happen, he goes to work,” Adrian Perales told the TV station. “While delivering packages, a car ends up crashing into his truck and he’s in the back and the unfortunate happens — he passes away.
“... I just wish that it wouldn’t happen to anyone else,” he added, according to ABC30. “He touched many, many lives.”
Perales, along with being a three-decade employee of the U.S. Postal Service, was a longtime pastor at the Templo de Alabanza in La Mirada, California, according to a GoFundMe page created to help cover funeral expenses.
“Through his church where he was a beloved Pastor, he was able to preach the word of the lord and touch the hearts and souls of many that sought his preachings, love, friendship, guidance, and unwavering support,” the GoFundMe page reads. “He will be greatly missed by many. Last but not least, he was a die hard Dodger fan!”
Timothy Perales mourned the loss of his father, who he says was just trying to get “extra money,” KTLA reported. His passing is especially difficult, Timothy Perales told the TV station, because of a major milestone that was just around the corner.
“My sister right now is engaged; they’re going to get married next year and my dad was planning to walk her down,” he told KTLA.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Rick Mejia said more blood tests are pending after the driver who crashed into the postal car passed a sobriety test, according to CBS Los Angeles. Police say they released him from custody after he passed the test.
Authorities continue to investigate, according to ABC30.
The man’s family, in turn, has urged people to drive carefully
“We the family would like to take this time to remind everyone out there to drive safe, observe the speed limit,” the GoFundMe page reads, “and avoid accidents like these that just destroy families and loved ones.”