A tragic accident has left a California family heartbroken just days before Thanksgiving. Antonio Pascual, a 24-year-old from Escondido, lost his life on Thursday morning while putting up Christmas lights—a tradition that now carries an unimaginable sadness for his loved ones.
Antonio had been working on the lights on a rooftop near high-voltage power lines. At some point, while hanging the lights, they made contact with the power lines, resulting in a powerful electric shock. He was thrown from the roof and ended up hanging upside down in a nearby tree.
Emergency responders were called immediately, but they faced a significant challenge. The power company had to turn off the high-voltage lines before they could safely reach Antonio. This process took an hour, and despite their best efforts, it was too late. Antonio was rushed to a hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead. Officials confirmed his cause of death as electrocution.
Antonio’s story doesn’t end with the accident. His brother, Juan Pascual, shared more about him in a heartfelt GoFundMe post. Antonio was not just a hardworking young man—he was the heart of his family. Born in Guatemala, he had been supporting his mother, who still lives there, and had plans for a bright future.
The family now hopes to honor Antonio’s memory by returning him to Guatemala for his final resting place. Juan described him as a devoted son, a loving brother, and a kind uncle who had so much more to give.
“He brought joy to everyone around him,” Juan wrote. “He was full of life, and now, Christmas lights will always remind us of him.”
This heartbreaking loss serves as a somber reminder to be cautious when working near power lines. Antonio’s family is holding on to the memory of his generous spirit and the love he shared with those around him.