Golden Valley coach has ‘heart-wrenching’ week after son, grandsons involved in car crash
Rick Martinez received the type of phone call Monday every parent or grandparent dreads.
The call to the Golden Valley High head football coach came from his son Rick, 28, during practice. Your world just stops when you receive a call like that. Football doesn’t matter. School doesn’t matter. Work doesn’t matter.
“Dad, we were in a bad accident,” Ricky said on the other end of the phone. “I need help.”
The only thing on Martinez’s mind from the moment he hung up the phone was his son Rick and his three grandsons Ricky, 8, Jorgie, 4, and Legend, 1 — who were in the car.
It was the start of a very long and stressful week for the Martinez family. Rick did his best to balance his time with his family and his football team.
Thankfully, Martinez’s son and grandsons survived, although the crash was very serious.
“It was pretty horrible, probably the worst experience I’ve had in my life,” said Martinez, after Golden Valley picked up its first win of the season with a 40-14 victory over Chowchilla on Friday night.
After receiving the phone call from Ricky, Martinez told his coaches he had to go. The Golden Valley players and coaches heard the sirens of the emergency vehicles headed to the site of the accident.
“Ten minutes after Rick left we heard the sirens,” said Golden Valley offensive coordinator Raul Alvarez, who is an uncle to the three kids and has known Martinez since they were both in first grade. “We didn’t think much of it and then we saw a helicopter. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized the sirens and the helicopter was for Ricky and the kids.”
Arriving at the scene
The collision occurred near the intersection of East Childs Avenue and Tower Road in Merced, less than 3 miles from the Golden Valley campus.
Martinez says he was the third person to arrive at the scene. Luckily a volunteer firefighter was driving by and stopped to help.
“(Ricky) was picking up my grandsons at his mother-in-laws house and was going home after school,” Rick Martinez said. “He was waiting for a car to pass so they can make a left turn. No brakes, they estimated he was traveling at 65 mph, he never saw him and it pushed them 40 yards.”
Martinez described the scene of the accident as horrific.
“We had three babies spread out everywhere, people helping,” Martinez said. “I don’t panic, I kind of just go into management mode. One grandson (Ricky) was good. We actually thought Jorgie was OK because he was breathing and moving around. I was really worried about (Legend) because he had the gash and the blood and he was upset. Ricky, our little ball boy, was like, ‘I’m good, Papa. I’m good.’”
Martinez held his hands about 18 inches apart to show how much room was between the back seat and the front seat in the car after the collision.
“My grandsons were smashed in between,” Martinez said.
The aftermath
Little Ricky had some bruises and scrapes on his face, but was OK. Legend had a gash on his forehead and was bleeding. He was taken via ambulance to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera.
Jorgie had suffered head trauma and was flown via helicopter to Valley Children’s Hospital.
“The drive to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera from Merced is a long drive,” Martinez added. “We made that drive not knowing what to expect. The other grandfather pointed out we’re very blessed. We didn’t know if we would be walking away with any of them the other day and we have all three. It was very heart-wrenching.”
Little Ricky and Legend were discharged from the hospital the next morning. Jorgie was in the ICU all week. On Friday, the doctors told the family that they were able to remove the breathing tubes and ventilators. They said Jorgie should be able to move from the ICU to the physical therapy ward in the upcoming days.
Little Ricky even served as the Golden Valley ball boy on Friday night.
Martinez became emotional when asked what it meant to have little Ricky there on the sideline. “It’s amazing,” he said. “I just want them all back. It’s going to be a process, but he’s going to be OK. The Lord is taking care of (Jorgie), he’s healing.”
Thankful for support
Martinez said he’s been overwhelmed with the prayers and support for his family. Martinez was able to make it to the end of practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Golden Valley athletic director Matt Thissen said it was an emotional week on campus.
“I thank our administrative staff,” Martinez said. “(Principal) Kevin (Swartwood) says, ‘Rick, take what you need. Don’t worry about us. We’ve got it.’ Coach (Raul) Alvarez, coach (Mike) Mondo and our coaching staff, they are seasoned coaches and took the reins.”
“I came out Tuesday night for the last hour of practice and I said, ‘Nobody is bigger than this team, not even me. This thing has to continue rolling. We’re moving in the right direction and we can’t stop for one player or even one coach.’”
The kids also offered their support for their coach. Senior running back Jabari Phillips said it was important to get their first win this season for Martinez.
“We were able to put a smile on his face,” Phillips said.
Junior Ethan Vang told Martinez, “I told you, coach, we’re going to do this for you. We’re going to make this a perfect night.”
After Friday’s win, Martinez gave thanks to his players for picking him up this week in what was the worst experience in his life.
“It’s a good group of young men,” Martinez said.
