MIAMI -- A driver of an SUV that rear-ended a minivan, killing three children, had a traffic record that included a DUI.

FHP Lt. Pat Santangelo said the accident happened at about 5:30 a.m. Sunday as a minivan was stopped at a red light with the children in the minivan's back seat. A Chevrolet Trailblazer slammed into the rear of the minivan, knocking it across the intersection and crushing its rear end.

The children -- 10-year-old Hector Serrano and his sisters, 7-year-old Esmeralda and 4-year-old Amber -- were pronounced dead at the scene.

It was unclear if they were wearing seat belts, though the 4-year-old was in a car seat. Their father, Hector S. Serrano, 42, suffered a broken arm.

The Trailblazer's driver, Gabriel Del Risco, 40, was taken to a hospital by helicopter and underwent surgery Sunday.

The family had left their home around 4 a.m. to take the children's mother to a Metrorail station so she could catch a ride to work. They were headed home when the crash occurred.

Officials are investigating whether alcohol was involved in the crash.

"He smelled like liquor or beer," Hector Serrano said.

Del Risco has not been charged with any crime, but the investigation continues. He has a lengthy traffic record, including a conviction for DUI, Local 10's Todd Tongen reported.

Del Risco's son, Dimir Del Risco, who does not live with his father, said he found out about the crash at school on Monday.

"My dad's just a regular guy," Dimir Del Risco said. "I don't feel like I have anything to say, anything to justify. I don't have anything to explain to people."

Gabriel Del Risco received 26 traffic tickets between November 2001 and January 2008 on offenses ranging from speeding to DUI, Local 10's Jeff Weinsier reported.

Dimir Del Risco said his father is a regular driver and that he has never been in a wreck while his father was driving.

"I feel bad. I'm kind of angry that had to happen, that those three kids had to die, but it happened," Dimir Del Risco said. "I was thinking of going out, saying sorry to them."

Gabriel Del Risco remained at Jackson Memorial Hospital on Monday. His condition is unknown. Dimir Del Risco said he plans to visit his father at the hospital.

Church Members, Family Console Parents

Fellow church members put together donation boxes for the Serrano family because they cannot afford to bury the children.

Esmeralda Serrano would have turned 8 years old on Monday.

Hector Serrano is stunned by the sudden loss.

"Now we have to pray to God and to continue living, but we're never getting back the family we're losing. We'll never get them back. We have to pray to God and keep in prayer," he said.

Family members and church members stopped by the Serrano home Monday to try to comfort the children's parents.

The children's mother, Mirian Serrano, was inconsolable as she wept.

"The wife is crying. She's desperate. She's very sad," said family friend Oscar Zapata.

A memorial bank fund has been set up to collect money to help pay for the children's funerals. People who want to help can go to locations of the Community Bank of Florida and ask to donate to the Serrano Family Funeral Fund. Donations are accepted in cash or check form. Checks can be made payable to Serrano Family Funeral Fund.

Donations can be taken to the following Community Bank of Florida locations:

Main Office: 28801 SW 157 Ave., Homestead, FL 33033

Campbell Square: 809 N. Flagler Ave., Homestead, FL 33030

Florida City: 302 W. Palm Dr., Florida City, FL 33034

Florida City Instore: 33501 S. Dixie Hwy., Florida City, FL 33034

Perrine: 18765 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami, FL 33157

Princeton: 24701 S. Dixie Hwy., Princeton, FL 33032

Quail Roost: 19990 S.W. 177 Ave., Miami, FL 33187

Krome: 536 N. Krome Ave., Homestead, FL 33030

Community Centre: 2804 N.E. 8th St., Homestead, FL 33033