Tragedy in Barstow: 2-Year-Old Boy with Autism Found Dead After Flash Flood Sweeps Away Car

Tragedy in Barstow: 2-Year-Old Boy with Autism Found Dead After Flash Flood Sweeps Away Car

BARSTOW, Calif. — A heartbreaking tragedy has struck the Barstow community after a flash flood swept away a car carrying a father and his 2-year-old son, officials confirmed Friday. The child, identified by family members as Xavier Padilla Aguilera, was found dead Friday afternoon after an intense search by rescue crews.

According to the City of Barstow, the incident happened Thursday evening around 6:30 p.m. on Main Street during heavy flooding. Xavier’s father, 26-year-old Brandon Padilla Aguilera, was driving when floodwaters engulfed their vehicle. Authorities said the two were separated from the car and swept away by the fast-moving current.

Emergency responders immediately launched a large-scale rescue operation. Brandon Aguilera was located stranded on a small island created by the floodwaters and was rescued by Barstow firefighters. He was transported to a nearby hospital and later released. Tragically, Xavier could not be reached in time.

Officials reported finding the child’s body at approximately 2:44 p.m. Friday in the San Bernardino County Flood Control channel south of the Mojave River. Family members gathered near the scene, grieving as emergency crews worked. “Yesterday we had a funeral for my mom,” the boy’s grandmother, Carolyn Tackett, said tearfully. “My son drove home with my grandson … all I know is the car ended up near the bridge.”

City officials and local residents are expressing their condolences to the Padilla Aguilera family as the community mourns the devastating loss.