The family faces unimaginable after being killed late last week at a Southern California highway construction site by a loved one, Caltrans contract worker, an experienced Cartran contract worker.
The tragic incident unfolded in the westbound lane of the 91 Highway just before 4am in Buena Park, according to California Highway Patrol officials.
Although the exact details of the crash are under investigation, authorities said a 22-year-old man behind the wheels of a 2020 Dodge Ram pickup truck struck a 45-year-old Jose Mantocon, a coronavirus resident.
The young man stayed at the scene, and paramedics arrived, rushed out his 45-year-old husband, devoted his father to the hospital, dedicated his friend, where he succumbed to injuries and was declared dead.
Footage from the aftermath of the crash, obtained by KTLA, shows significant damage to the front of the Dodge pickup, with debris scattered across the road as investigators from the CHP’s main accident investigation team walked the scene, marking evidence and looking for answers.
Corona resident Jose Mantekong, 45, can be seen in this undated photo of the family. (Mantecon family via Gofundme) The aftermath of a fatal crash seen on the westbound 91 highway in Buena Park, which claimed the life of a 45-year-old Cartalan contractor on March 21, 2025. Hawk) The aftermath of a fatal crash seen on the westbound 91 highway in Buena Park on March 21, 2025, where he insisted on the life of a 45-year-old Caltrans contractor. Buena Park’s westbound 91 Expressway (OC Hawk) claimed the life expectancy of a 45-year-old Caltrans contractor on March 21, 2025
Jose’s wife, Carla Mantekong, said it was a typical day. She had dinner for her overnight shift and kissed him before saying goodbye to his two children, 12 and 9, whom he had left for work.
“Like firefighters and police officers, you say goodbye to them,” Carla told KTLA’s Sarah Welch. “It’s a very dangerous job.”
Describing her husband as a family anchor and light, Carla said he was speaking for two reasons. It is to honor Jose and raise awareness about highway workers face work every time they go to work.
“I don’t want another wife, child, mother, father, sister or sibling to miss their loved one,” she explained. “It just tears the whole family.”
The widow and her brother are now advocating for increased safety measures to protect highway workers.
“He wants me to continue to be strong,” Carla said of Jose. “Of course, I’m doing it to honor him, so he didn’t die in vain. Unfortunately, it had to be my husband.”
Organized for his family, Gofundme described the 45-year-old as someone who left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
So far, the 22-year-old pickup driver has not been made public. Authorities said he was helping out the investigation and that alcohol and drugs were not suspected in a fatal conflict.
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