PLEASANTVILLE, N.J. (WPVI) — A Pleasantville, New Jersey, family is reeling after two devastating tragedies struck within hours of each other: a house fire that destroyed their home, and later that same day, a hit-and-run that left a father critically injured.
Veronica Sanchez said her family was asleep early Tuesday morning when a loud noise woke them up.
"We were inside, we were all sleeping. We all heard a loud bang and got everyone up," Sanchez said.
Flames tore through their home on Wesley Avenue around 5:45 a.m., where Sanchez lived with her husband, their two young children, and six other relatives.
"If that noise didn't happen to wake us up, I wonder where we'd be," she said.
All ten people inside made it out safely, but the family lost everything.
That evening, while gathering donated items from the community, tragedy struck again.
Sanchez said her husband, Roberto "Peto" Vidanos, was crossing the street when he was hit by a driver.
"He was on the ground. He was hit really hard. His clothes fell off. He was just still," she said. "Once I got closer to him, I was trying to keep him up once the ambulance got here. His eyes kept rolling back."
Vidanos was rushed to the hospital, where he remains on a ventilator and underwent surgery.
"Two broken legs, a broken pelvis, a fractured spine, broken left arm," Sanchez said. "It's gonna be a long road to recovery for him."
Sanchez said she's trying to stay strong for their children.
"I'm trying to be strong for everyone, especially our kids. My son only knows about this. Still trying to figure out how to tell him about dad," she said.
Vidanos, known in the community as "Peto the Barber," is well-loved in the area, and his neighbors are rallying to support the family.
"They've been donating clothes, food," said Crystal Rodriguez of Pleasantville.
The nonprofit Angels in Motion has also stepped in to collect donations.
"The community has come out strong. This is just since yesterday," said Laura Rowan with Angels in Motion Foundation, motioning to an overflowing pile. "It's amazing how much the community has jumped in to help."
Sanchez said she's overwhelmed by the kindness that's poured in.
"I am just so thankful. I don't think the words that I can say can show or make anyone feel how I'm feeling," she said. "So, so thankful. So thankful for everyone."
Through it all, Sanchez said she's holding onto hope.
"It's only up from here. Can't get any worse than this!"
Police and fire officials say both incidents remain under investigation.
The family said they're overwhelmed with clothing donations, but will accept diapers and other children's items.
To donate, you can drop off items to Angels in Motion located at 2 West Glendale Avenue in Pleasantville on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
