Family mourns loss of father killed in Pasadena DUI crash

MONROVIA, Calif. (KABC) -- A family is in disbelief after tragically losing a husband and father in a deadly DUI crash in Pasadena.

Chris Nelson, a Monrovia father to four children, was driving home from work on the eastbound 134 on Sunday but never made it back to his family.

The California Highway Patrol said the suspected drunk driver ran from his car after crashing into Nelson's vehicle and one other car around 12:55 a.m. but was later arrested.

Two 18-year-old women were hospitalized. The 41-year-old beloved man died at the scene.

Erica Nelson said she and her husband were married for 16 years.

She said Chris worked hard to provide for their 18-month-old son and three daughters because when he was a child, his father was also killed by a drunk driver.

The family man encouraged his daughters to excel in school and sports.

"He would always want me to get better, and I did, and to always try my best,' said his daughter Isabella.

The Nelson's were receiving a lot of emotional support from their family, friends and church, but the family said knowing the accident could have been prevented makes Chris' death that much more difficult to accept.

"Everyone is just so devastated," Erica said. "And I just really want people to really think twice before getting in a car and not being coherent enough to drive a vehicle."

A memorial fund has been set up for the family of Chris Nelson.