SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As the triple-digit temperatures continue to bake Northern California, the heatwave just became a deadly one.
A 58-year-old man in North Sacramento died over the weekend of heat stroke.
Kevin Gerhardt collapsed on the floor of his trailer home Saturday when the temperature reached 113 degrees. He was discovered by his brother James, who has a disability.
James called 911; Kevin was transported to the hospital where he later died.
"I'm very hurt, very sad, very lonely. He was my life," said James Gerhardt.
The brothers had been living on the edge, struggling with poverty and disability, and getting by on Social Security, according to their church friend Marcie Del Nero.
Del Nero said their air conditioning went down. It's unclear how long ago that happened.
Now, James is stepping into an uncertain future. Kevin had been acting as James' caregiver since their mother passed away years ago.
Del Nero is now trying to help James find another home and access the care he needs.
"I try to do the best I can with what I have for him, but I care. People have to care about people," Del Nero said.
She worries as the heatwave drags on, others could be in trouble too.
She's calling on others to check in with relatives and neighbors as the extreme heat continues.
