BARSTOW, Calif. - A California father who survived after his family’s car was in was swept away by floodwaters in the Inland Empire is now facing criminal charges.

Father, son swept away by floodwaters

The backstory:

On Thursday, Sept. 18, as a storm moved through Southern California, Barstow first responders were called to an area in the 24000 block of West Main Street following reports a car had been swept away by floodwaters.

Investigators said around 7 p.m., 26-year-old Brandon Padilla Aguilera and his 2-year-old son, Xavier, were in their vehicle and attempted to cross a flooded section of W. Main St., between Lenwood Road and Sweeten Lane. Their vehicle was swept off the roadway and swept into a wash.

The two got separated from the vehicle and then separated again and w

See Full Page