Key Takeaways
- A powerful winter storm in San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood turned deadly on Christmas Eve when a tree branch fell and killed a grandfather
- The victim, Roberto Luis, was standing outside his home when the branch fell and struck him, causing cardiac arrest
- The family had previously raised concerns about the tree with the city, but no action was taken
- The city claims to have performed maintenance on the tree in January 2024, but the family believes the tragedy could have been prevented
- The incident has left the family grieving and demanding answers, with the daughter-in-law expressing anger and frustration towards the city
Introduction to the Tragedy
A San Diego family is mourning the loss of a loved one after a deadly storm toppled a tree branch, killing a grandfather on Christmas Eve. The incident occurred in the City Heights neighborhood, where a powerful winter storm brought strong winds and heavy rain. The victim, Roberto Luis, was standing outside his home when a large tree branch suddenly split off and fell on him, striking him and knocking him unconscious.
The Rescue Effort
According to Battalion Chief Craig Newell with San Diego Fire-Rescue, the incident happened shortly after 11 a.m. near the intersection of Marlborough Avenue and Wightman Street. The fire department responded quickly, but unfortunately, the victim had already gone into cardiac arrest by the time they arrived. Despite their best efforts, the responders were unable to save him, with Chief Newell becoming emotional while recounting the rescue effort. The chief described the tragic outcome, stating that the tree was too heavy, and the responders did everything they could to try and save the victim.
The Family’s Grief and Anger
The victim’s family is now grieving and demanding answers, with his daughter-in-law expressing her anger and frustration towards the city. She described Roberto Luis as an elderly and loving man who was always helping his family, and said that the family had repeatedly raised concerns about the tree with the city. However, she claimed that nothing was ever done, and the family feels that the city failed them. The daughter-in-law struggled to find the words to express her grief, saying "How do you go home on Christmas Eve and tell your kids that their grandpa is dead?" She hopes that sharing their story will lead to accountability and change, and that the city will take responsibility for the tragedy.
The City’s Response
In a statement to CBS 8, the city said that their thoughts are with the family, friends, neighbors, and first responders impacted by the sudden loss of life. The city claimed that they had performed maintenance on the tree in January 2024 as a proactive measure to trim branches, and that the tree presented no concerns or defects at that time. However, the family disputes this claim, saying that they had raised concerns about the tree for over five years, and that the city had failed to take action. The city also stated that they do not have a record of any maintenance requests for the specific tree, which has further angered the family.
The Need for Accountability
The incident has highlighted the need for accountability and change in the way that the city maintains its trees. The family believes that the tragedy could have been prevented if the city had taken their concerns seriously and taken action to trim or remove the tree. The daughter-in-law said that if Roberto Luis were still alive, he would want people to know that this is not okay, and that the city needs to take responsibility for its failure to maintain the tree. The family hopes that their story will lead to changes in the way that the city approaches tree maintenance, and that no other family will have to go through the same tragedy that they are experiencing.
Conclusion
The death of Roberto Luis on Christmas Eve is a tragic reminder of the importance of maintaining the city’s trees and taking concerns from the community seriously. The family’s grief and anger are understandable, and their demands for accountability and change are justified. The city needs to take responsibility for its failure to maintain the tree and work to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. By sharing their story, the family hopes to bring about change and ensure that no other family has to suffer the same loss that they are experiencing.