"This was a traumatic scene with injuries of young people and a mother on Mother's Day," an officer shared.
A mother and her two daughters were tragically killed in a horrific car accident on Mother's Day.
The two-car crash happened on Sunday, May 14, at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time on Interstate 10 near the Whitewater region, reported ABC station KESQ. At least six of the nine occupants inside the automobile, who were all members of the same family, were thrown or partially expelled out of the car.
The family was on their way to the Palm Springs region for a celebration, according to NBC Los Angeles. "This was a traumatic scene with injuries of young people and a mother on Mother's Day, and it's heart-wrenching," California Highway Patrol Officer Jason Montez shared, per KTIV.
CRASH UPDATE: Victims killed in crash were members of same Anaheim family, children ages 10 and 12, and 31-year-old woman; 6 others in the Chevy Suburban were also injured, ranging in age from 3 to 41 https://t.co/uq2zOZWZmA https://t.co/uScAhCHE0q
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) May 14, 2023
A black Tesla Model 3 and a red Chevrolet Suburban collided after unexplained circumstances, causing the Chevrolet to crash into a center barrier, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) shared. Three people were killed at the scene: 31-year-old Cecilia Villalobos and two kids, aged 12 and 8. A family member identified the girls as Villalobos' daughters. On Monday, a vigil was organized in their honor.
Some of the passengers in the Chevrolet were not belted into their seats. Montez stated that the suburban was only designed to carry eight people. "The California Highway Patrol would like to remind you to only drive a vehicle with a safety belt/child safety seat for every occupant and always buckle up,'' Montez said, per the report.
The family is now collecting funds to support the grieving husband and other kids "during this traumatic and difficult time". Yahaira Barojas, a niece to the now-deceased mom, has set up the GoFundMe campaign. Barojas describes Villalobos as a "loving mother of six," adding that the funds would mean a lot to the family. "Her husband, brother-in-law, and four remaining children were also injured during the accident. They were all rushed to the hospital immediately and are currently getting the care they need," she wrote on the fundraiser. In a Facebook post asking people to help, Barojas wrote, "All your help would be appreciated to lay my aunt and cousins to rest in peace."
Help Sergio during a time of grief https://t.co/BiMAuM6Iiw WE need all friends Help for Few Dawn's student who Died very bad Car accident !!
— MarianoBigDawg (@Marianobigdawg) May 17, 2023
Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava posted a message, offering condolences to the family, on Facebook. "This week the Bush Street community (located in District 3) experienced the tragic loss of our neighbor, Cecilia Villalobos De La Rivas, and her two daughters, as a result of a tragic car accident this past Sunday. Please keep this family in your prayers," she wrote, asking people to chip in and pray for the family.
References:
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/10-freeway-crash-palm-springs/3153339/
https://www.ktiv.com/2023/05/16/mom-2-girls-killed-heart-wrenching-crash-mothers-day/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-sergio-during-a-time-of-grief
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe
