After a street crossing turns deadly, a family from Pomona, California, is now grappling with the loss of their 6-year-old child and dealing with severe injuries to their 19-year-old.
The collision occurred on Tuesday at approximately 8:00 p.m. at a busy intersection in the city, which is located about 30 miles east of Los Angeles.
California Street Crossing Turns Deadly
A devastating accident has left a community in mourning after a 6-year-old girl lost her life and her older sister was injured while crossing a street in Pomona, California.
According to the Pomona Police Department, they have confirmed that the officers arrived on the scene to find two female individuals.
A female adult and child were visibly seen lying on the ground of the roadway. Life-saving efforts were immediately given to the victims, however, despite the quick medical response, the young 6-year-old child succumbed to her injuries.
Her older sister, the adult victim, managed to survive the intensity of the crash, she was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment.
The driver involved in the tragic incident, a 19-year-old operating a silver Honda Accord, remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with authorities.
Video footage shows the driver undergoing a sobriety test, and initial investigations suggest that neither drugs nor alcohol played a role in the collision. However, police are examining whether distraction or speeding may have contributed to the accident.
Victims Identified and Community Reaction
Police authorities did not quickly name the victims affected in the car accident, but they were later identified as Guadalupe Alvarez Salgado, a 6-year-old elementary school student, and her 19-year-old sister, Mireya, who is currently in the intensive care unit due to injuries sustained in the crash.
The tragic event has profoundly affected the local community. Matthew Leal, a neighbor, expressed his sorrow and shock. "It shook me to my core," he said.
"Even though I didn't really talk to her, I kind of watched her grow up. I was here since she was born. I'm so sorry for their loss. We're always going to be there for them."
Residents have voiced concerns over the safety of the intersection where the accident occurred, citing frequent speeding as a major issue. "A lot of people do speed here," Leal added.
Supporting the Victims' Family
Furthermore, in response to the unexpected tragedy, the family of the children has set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and medical bills they are acquiring.
As of the latest update, the campaign has raised just over $7,138 of its $15,000 goal, reflecting the community's desire to support the grieving family during this difficult time.
Aside from the support the family has been receiving, members of their community are now calling for a change due to numerous car accidents in the area. The community is calling for increased traffic safety measures in the area to prevent similar tragedies from happening to innocent lives.
Due to the severity of the incident, local residents in the area and officials are discussing potential solutions to improve the safety of the intersection, such as installing additional signage, speed bumps, or traffic lights.
The Pomona Police Department continues to investigate the accident, urging anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to come forward. The community remains hopeful that increased awareness and action will lead to safer streets and prevent future heartaches.
