Siblings killed in Napa crash mourned, mother faces charges
NAPA, Calif. (KRON) — A young brother and sister who were killed in a Napa crash over the weekend are remembered as 'sweet, loving, full of life,' according to a verified GoFundMe page.
Aaliyah Montanez, 9, and her 10-year-old brother, Damien Montanez, suffered fatal injuries when their mother's car crashed off Highway 29 at 7 a.m. Sunday, according the California Highway Patrol and Napa County Sheriff's Coroner's Office.
Their mother, Yesica Barajas, is suspected of driving drunk behind the wheel, the CHP said.
CHP officers said they found the family's 2006 Nissan after it veered off a Highway 29 exit ramp at Imola Avenue, and slammed into a tree 30 feet down an embankment. CHP officials said the mother is suspected of DUI.
Barajas, 31, was still recovering from major injuries in a hospital as of Monday afternoon. The District Attorney's Office said Barajas will be arrested and charged with crimes in connection to the deadly crash.
The mother will be transported from the hospital to Napa County Jail when she is medically cleared, the CHP said.
CHP Sgt. Greg Ramos said when tragedies involve children, like in Sunday's crash, 'it's extremely more difficult to process.'
Angela Villasenor, a family friend who created the GoFundMe page, said the siblings loved camping in Lake Tahoe with their grandparents.
'Their favorite place was Lake Tahoe,' Villasenor said. Photographs from one of their camping trips show the children playing in Lake Tahoe's blue waters.
'Damian and Aaliyah always had a smile on their faces,' Villasenor told KRON4.
Damian and Aaliyah went to school in the Napa Valley Unified School District. A school district spokesperson said, 'Our hearts go out to the family as we grieve with our community and offer support during this difficult time. We continue to have counseling and social worker support available for students and staff.'
The GoFundMe page is raising donations to help the children's family pay for funerals. 'Everybody is still in shock. No one is prepared for something like this to happen. The family right now is devastated,' Villasenor said. 'They will be missed.'
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