Heavy Hearts In Gilroy: Vigils, Memorial Planned For 4 Teens Killed In 2 Accidents

Vigils have been scheduled for three Gilroy Unified School District students killed in a suspected DUI crash on Tuesday night.

The three students, Yesenia Mendoza Pina, Yolanda Jimenez and Sara Williams, all 18 years old and from Gilroy, were passengers in a car that crashed on Leavesley Road east of New Avenue at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A vigil for Mendoza Pina and Jimenez is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mount Madonna High School, school district officials said.

Williams was a senior at Christopher High School, where a vigil is set for 8:30 p.m. Monday at the campus quad, according to school district officials.

A fourth passenger who also died in the crash was identified by the Santa Clara County medical examiner’s office as 24-year-old Joseph Vasquez Flemate of Gilroy.

The four people who died were in a 1997 Ford Mustang driven by 23-year-old Anthony Imbronone III, who was allegedly under the influence while behind the wheel, CHP officials said. The vehicle had flipped into a concrete drainage ditch while negotiating a hard right curve, according to the CHP.

Imbronone, the only survivor of the crash, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter, CHP officials said. He was hospitalized with major injuries at Regional Medical Center of San Jose, where he remains today, CHP Officer Herb Kellogg said.

Evidence found in the vehicle included an open container of alcohol, controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia, Kellogg said.

Counselors have been made available at the schools each student attended, Superintendent Deborah Flores said in a statement. The students have also made posters and met in groups to help talk about the girls, Flores said. In addition, students have worn items such as armbands and beads to honor the three students, she said.

Each of the three students will be awarded honorary diplomas that will be received by their families during their respective graduation ceremonies, according to Flores.

Ben MacKenzie, a close family friend of Williams, said she is survived by her adopted parents and 14 brothers and sisters, he said.

“She’ll be missed like crazy,” said MacKenzie, who has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for her funeral expenses. As of this afternoon, the page has raised $3,220 of its $4,000 goal.

Any extra money from the fundraiser will be divided and given to the families of the three others killed in the crash, MacKenzie said. Donations can be made online at http://www.gofundme.com/uhev34.

Williams was involved in the art program at Christopher High and has a twin brother who is also a senior at the school, according to school officials.

Christopher High principal Paul Winslow said the school’s students and staff were asked to wear blue and black, Williams’ favorite colors, in her memory today, Winslow said.

Students have also tied blue ribbons around the campus to remember the 18-year-old, he said.

It is the second death the school is has had to cope with in less than a week.

Natalia Salcido, 15, a sophomore at Christopher High, was killed in a single car crash Saturday night, according to school officials. Story here: Teen Tragically Killed In Gilroy Accident Was Daughter Of San Jose Fire Captain.

A memorial for Natalia is planned at the school’s gym Sunday, on what would have been her 16th birthday, according to Winslow. Notes to Williams and Natalia have been written with chalk all over the main quad at Christopher High, Winslow said.

The CHP is continuing to investigate Tuesday night’s crash. Anyone who may have information about the case is asked to call the CHP’s Gilroy/Hollister office at (408) 848-2324.

--Bay City News

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