CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) - Tearful testimony was heard Tuesday in the trial of a man charged in a hit and run accident that left a six-year-old with major injuries.
Ingrid Lake recalled the moment just before the family's car was t-boned by a truck. The family was just a few blocks from their home; returning from a visit to Disneyland that Saturday night in May.
"I heard screeching tires, looked up, saw the lights of a truck; my husband saying, 'No! No! No!'"
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The family's wonderful day ended tragically. The point of impact was to the rear driver's side, where Lennox Lake was strapped into his child safety seat.
He had a pulse after the collision; his mother, who is medically trained, did sternum rubs and walked him around until he could be rushed to a hospital.
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Lennox is home now but far from the happy-go-lucky boy he had been.
"Physically, as far as actual injuries: 85 per cent but emotionally and mentally. I don't know; he's just not the same."
Sleep does not come easily, either.
"We have a spare room we try to get him to sleep in. We made a bed on the floor of his room but he wakes up, screaming, crying every night and ends up in our room."
RELATED: Trip home from Disneyland ends in disaster
His father gave further insight into the difficulty they're working through now.
"I try to kiss Lennox every morning and go to work; try to be strong for the family because we’ve got to keep going."
Constantino Banda is charged with driving under the influence and hit and run. His attorney is arguing that his drinking buddy and employee, Jorge Adame, was the one behind the wheel.
RELATED: Lennox Lake, 6, was critically injured on his way home from Disneyland
Banda is an illegal immigrant; having been deported 15 times over the last 15 years.
If convicted he could go to prison for more than seven years.
