Both teens had limited participation in the fair auction as they recover

ATASCADERO — On the night of Tuesday, July 23, at approximately 11:20 p.m., two local Atascadero teens were in a car accident, leaving them unable to fully participate in the California Mid-State Fair auctions with their animals.

Fifteen-year-old Cameron (Cami) Hernandez and her 17-year-old boyfriend Aiden Herzig were driving home after a long day of being with their animals that started at 6 a.m. and visiting Herzig’s newborn niece when the single-vehicle accident took place. Herzig fell asleep behind the wheel, and his truck ran directly into a tree. Both teens received non-life-threatening injuries, and the truck was totaled.

Herzig was admitted to the hospital overnight to observe his bruised ribs from hitting the steering wheel and also received stitches in his mouth. Hernandez received stitches on her face and legs and broke her foot.

“Aiden and Cami are very sore but are doing well,” said family friend Sara Hardisty. “Cami will be in a walking cast for a bit while her fractured foot heals, and both will need sutures removed, but despite that, are in good spirits.” 

Hernandez, though unable to show her animals at the California Mid-State Fair (CMSF) herself this year, was able to stand on the side of the auction pen and wave to bidders on Friday, July 26, when her Atascadero FFA teammate Edward Iliff walked her Angus replacement heifer named Shalah through its auction, and again when Hernandez’s sister Chloe walked her market goat named Brown Sugar during the sale on Saturday, July 27.

Herzig, whose FFA project, an Angus steer named Bodacious, also went to sale during the Junior Livestock Auction on July 27, was able to walk his steer into the sale ring with the help of his FFA teammate Noah.

“Aiden [Herzig] was determined to be there through the sale, so although he was still in pain and struggling with his post-concussive symptoms, he was glad he could be there to help sell his steer,” stated Hardisty.

Herzig’s steer Bodacious sold for $4 a pound and weighed 1,350 pounds, for a sale total of $5,400. Hernandez’s replacement heifer, Shalah, sold for a unit price of $4,500, while her market goat, Brown Sugar, sold for $10 a pound, weighing 82 pounds, for a grand total of $820. 

“Cami and Aiden have had a lot of support from their Ag Advisors, and fellow FFA members including other chapters,” Hardisty added. “SLO FFA wrote them get-well cards which was super sweet. Countless friends have reached out to check on them and they have been grateful for so much love sent their way.”

Though the official auction has already taken place, add-ons are still open until Sunday, Aug. 4, at 11:59 p.m. Add-ons are donations in addition to the original CMSF sales of FFA student’s animals. To purchase an add-on go to cmsfl.fairwire.com/default.aspx for instructions.

All money raised through the sale of Herzig and Hernandez’s animals and future add-ons will go toward the students’ FFA projects next year and help towards getting Herzig a new truck to get to and from school and the barn to care for the animals. 

The families would like to thank everyone who stopped to help and the first responders who gave aid during the accident.

Featured Image: Cameron Hernandez is shown with market goat Brown Sugar. Contributed Photo