Arriving in court Tuesday in a wheelchair, Syeda Arif recalled the last moments of her 5-year-old son's life before Armando Ayon crashed his car into a parked car that crushed Arif and her children.

The Sherman Way crash - which authorities say ended a road rage-inspired street race between Ayon and another man - severed Arif's leg, fatally injured her son, Ayman, and left her 3-month-old daughter, Ikra, in critical condition.

"Right then, at that time, ... I fell onto the grass and my baby fell," she told the court through a Bengali interpreter. "As far as I can tell, with whatever sense I had at this time, my son was on the grass."

Authorities say Ayon, 19, of Pacoima, and Brian Barnes, 44, of Northridge had been speeding in the throes of road rage. Both are in custody on $1 million-plus bail, charged with homicide, vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving causing great bodily injury.

They face 15 years to life if found guilty. Barnes faces additional charges of leaving the scene, with more prison time possible.

Ayon and Barnes watched calmly as Arif testified that doctors are still treating her infant daughter's head injuries, using a tube to drain fluid and relieve pressure. Arif's words brought tears to some in the courtroom, there in support of the defendants.

Arif's brief testimony came during a daylong preliminary hearing. Four witnesses testified they saw the Ayon's black Nissan and Barnes' red convertible Camaro weaving in and out of lanes as they sped westbound along Sherman Way.

Shortly after the cars reached Amestoy Avenue and Sherman Way, one witness said he saw Barnes hit the brakes in the middle of the street.

Authorities said Ayon swerved, and the Nissan smashed into a parked car that plowed into Arif, who was getting something from her car trunk. She held her 3-month-old daughter, and her son stood next to her.

Judge Leslie Dunn must decide whether there is enough evidence for Barnes and Ayon to stand trial. The next hearing is set for May 14.

Meanwhile, Lorne Elementary School in Northridge, where Ayman had just started first grade, will plant a memorial tree at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

His parents have set up a Web site, www.aymanfoundation.org, to discourage reckless driving and road rage.