BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The family of the man killed as he was trying to get his van to start was remembered Thursday as a hard-working man who was devoted to making a better life for his family.

"He worked on anything he could because he was so dedicated to me and our children to survive and make a better life for us," Ofelia Hernandez, his wife said.

Juan Hernandez, 52, had taken the family to Weedpatch Park on Buena Vista Blvd. south of Lamont Wednesday afternoon to cool off. But as they were trying to leave around 4 p.m., the van would not start.

"The van had constantly had that problem," Ofelia Hernandez said. "It would only start when it wanted to and when it didn't, he would have to get out and fix it."

Hernandez got out of the van to tinker with the battery cables, and put a wooden block on the accelerator. He left the van in drive, but forgot to put the parking brake on. When the van ignited, it peeled forward, hitting Hernandez at a high acceleration and killing him instantly.

"We all rushed out of the van to see if he was okay," Ofelia Hernandez said. "But he wasn't responding to any of us as he just lay there."

Ofelia, who says she doesn't know how to drive, immediately turned off the ignition after the van hit her husband.

Their four children all witnessed the accident, and are still in shock over the tragedy.

"The children don't stop crying, and some of them still wonder if their dad is coming home," Ofelia Hernandez said. "He always picked them up from school and spent lots of time with them."

The family came to the U.S. almost 20 years ago seeking a better life. They spent most of that time working in the fields until Juan lost his job and Ofelia was diagnosed with a kidney ailment that required frequent dialysis treatments. The extended family is all in Mexico, and the family is hoping to send Hernandez's remains back to Mexico.

The family is also requesting donations. If you would like to help, you can donate at the Emmanuel Church Maranatha Ministries group at 2408 Potomac Avenue, or you can call them at 322-1091.