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56 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, May 10, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 13, 2004 Toddler remains in critical condition At the encouragement of long-time friends, Efrain Mora and Maria Ortega moved to the Rogue Valley from Long Beach last month seeking a better life for their two small children. A car crash on Thursday left their son, Matthew Mora Ponce, 2, struggling for his life. He was crushed in a rollover on Rogue River Drive near Dodge Bridge. Friday afternoon he remained in critical condition at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. The friends who urged the family to come north, Randy and Angelica Lo Monaco, have organized a fund to help them deal with medical expenses. The Lo Monacos own Antonio’s restaurants in Eagle Point and Central Point. They plan to donate a percentage of their sales at the restaurants, are collecting donations at the eateries and have set up an account, the Matthew Mora Fund, at Washington Mutual branches, Randy Lo Monaco said. Lo Monaco said the Mora family is buying a home in Central Point. Mora and Ortega both worked at Antonio’s. Ortega, her mother Elodia Paramo, and her two children Matthew and Gizell, planned to go fishing Thursday when Ortega was apparently distracted by the children while driving and her car veered off the road. As she tried to steer back onto the road, the Saturn sedan rolled, trapping the family inside, Jackson County sheriff’s investigators said. Gizell, 9 months old, was treated and released at Rogue Valley Medical Center Thursday, Lo Monaco said. Ortega, who was monitored for a possible concussion, and Paramo, who broke eight ribs, remained at the hospital overnight and were released Friday. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times