Father and son victims of Burien crash are still in the hospital

When Sarah Schimdt heard that a 15-year-old girl illegally drove a car, ran a red light, and smashed a truck in half in Burien Monday night, she shook her head. The teen driver is suspected of driving while intoxicated.

“I listened to (The Dori Monson Show) and I was shocked and angry,” Schmidt told Dori. “I don’t know who allows a 15-year-old to get behind the wheel of a car.”

“Then I found out on Tuesday afternoon that it was Lorenzo (in the truck), and it was devastating,” she said.

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Lorenzo was driving the truck that was hit. His 7-year-old son Xavier was riding with him. In the BMW, driven by the 15-year-old girl, was a 20-year-old man in the passenger seat, two other teens and a 5-year-old in the back seat.

Schmidt works with Lorenzo at Angelo’s Ristorante in Burien. It’s an Italian restaurant. Lorenzo works there as a cook along with a couple family members.

“He’s a really great father, he’s really hard working and loved by many people,” Schmidt said. “We are rooting for him and his son to come out of this.”

“Angelo’s is the kind of place the where people know everyone – you walk in and you know people,” she said. “A lot of people know Lorenzo.”

She has been staying up-to-date on Lorenzo’s progress. He remains in the hospital, along with his son.

“It sounds like they are doing alright,” Schmidt said. “His son is not paralyzed, despite what some sources have reported. Lorenzo is not awake yet, but he has shown signs of movement. That is positive. He doesn’t need any surgeries as of yesterday. So we are just hoping he wakes up.”

In the meantime, Schmidt along with the family at Angelo’s, have organized a fundraising effort on GoFundMe. The money will go towards Lorenzo and Xavier’s medical bills. Lorenzo will also need a new car to get to work in and likely will need rehabilitation work.

Angelo’s in Burien will also host a fundraiser on Wednesday, June 8. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of all bills to Lorenzo. The restaurant is also running a raffle with local prizes to raise funds for the father and son.

As for the driver of the car that hit Lorenzo’s truck. Schmidt told Dori that she thinks the 15-year-old should be charged as an adult.

“If somebody thinks they are adult enough to get behind the wheel of a car, with that many people in it and put people’s lives at risk, then I think they are adult enough to be held accountable for their actions,” Schmidt said.

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