Several Bakersfield families affected by a tragic accident on the Oceano Dunes are heading to San Luis Obispo. Their hope, to plea for justice, after the driver of a truck launched off a sand dune in July of 2006 and landed on top of their ATV type vehicle .

Kara and Shawn Barton are joining other families to face the driver who killed Shawn's friend Jerry Carter this Monday.

It's a familiar sight for the dunes, as trucks and ATV's swarm the central coast, a popular vacation destination for Kern County residents. But for the Bartons, it quickly became a nightmare.

"I remember leaving camp going up to our first dune then i saw a truck airborne and that was all i remembered until i woke up in the hospital," says Shawn Barton.

Shawn had been driving in the sand with his friends, including Jerry Carter, when a truck driven by Sean Brandon Evans landed on top of their mule ATV. The 6,000 lbs. truck trapped four people in the mule.
Carter died soon after from chest injuries, while Barton lay in a drug induced coma, while doctors struggled to save him.

Suffering from a brain injury, a broken jaw and arm, Barton had a long road of recovery ahead. Just one month after the accident Shawn Barton tried to return to work, but it may have been too soon.

He says fatigue, depression and pain forced him to quit, putting a tremendous financial strain on the family.

The Bartons say no matter what, they are pulling together, trying to make it work. However, the biggest blow came when they found out Evans could receive what they call little more than a slap on the wrist.

Because Evans was not drunk or impaired at the time of the accident, it's likely the judge will sentence him to 30 days in jail and three years probation. It's a sentence the Barton's feel is unacceptable.

In fact, the Bartons say they worry Evans may hurt someone in the future, referencing a DUI charge he received sometime after the accident.

That's why they believe it's so important for the judge to hear their testimony. Jerry Carter's mother has chartered a bus to take family and supporters to court on Monday.

If you would like to go along in support, write a letter to the court or just give any well wishes you can contact the Bartons through their email address at shawnbartons@yahoo.com.