JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
— A Florida mother said her son saved her life in the seconds before a crash that claimed his life.
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Greg Yutuc, 22, was the only person killed in a three-vehicle crash near Jacksonville's Buckman Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
>> On ActionNewsJax.com: PHOTOS: University of North Florida student saves mom's life in I-295 crash, dad says
Stitches lined Gerry Yutuc’s bruised eyelid and his wife, Charina, had a seat belt burn across her chest.
“All I remember is seeing that red car and we are spinning around,” Gerry Yutuc said.
They were headed back from their family vacation and were driving on I-295 with their three kids in their van when state troopers said a 21-year-old driver rear-ended another car, then cut off their van.
“It was too late for me,” Yutuc said.
Their son, Greg, was sitting in the passenger seat and grabbed the steering wheel at the last second.
“So the impact could be on his side, to avoid the impact on mom,” Yutuc said.
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Yutuc said the van flipped.
“I looked around and saw four people. My wife, my two daughters and without Greg,” Yutuc said.
Greg was thrown from the vehicle and an officer on scene told them their son didn’t make it.
Florida Highway Patrol said Greg was not wearing a seat belt.
“We didn’t have a chance to hug him and say goodbye,” Yutuc said.
Since Greg was a child, he’s been on several mission trips and had plans of becoming a missionary, his parents said.
“His heart is really sharing the gospel,” Yutuc said.
In his 22 years, Yutuc said his only son affected many lives.
“I know we have a great son, but I didn’t know the extent of his influence,” Yutuc said.
>> On ActionNewsJax.com: Drivers concerned about safety on Buckman Bridge
It was unconditional, selfless love they said Greg will be most remembered by.
“He inspired us and we want to be an inspiration,” Yutuc said.
The family said the community support has been overwhelming.
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