CHP officers are searching for the driver who left the scene after crashing a pick-up into the family's car Saturday night.
Diana Jauregui, 32, and her 5-year-old daughter Jocelyn died at the scene. Two other passengers were taken to the hospital --including a three year old girl.
The three-year-old girl is listed in serious condition but is expected to survive. The girl's grandfather was also injured in the collision and was released from the hospital.
Arturo Jauregui, the girl's grandfather, sat in his Reedley apartment still in hospital scrubs after being treated for his injuries. He says all he remembers is being hit from behind, and then lost consciousness. But when he woke up, his entire world was flipped upside down.
"It's a tragedy because I was having fun with my family," said Arturo.
His daughter, Diana, was driving him and two of his granddaughters home from a pool party Saturday night, but the family never made it to Reedley. The driver of a Ford pickup rear ended Diana's car on Frankwood and Central.
Tony Ybarra said he ran out of his home when he heard the collision and tried to help. "We were trying to see if we could get the little girl out but the glass and the door would not open," said Ybarra.
The impact killed Diana and her five-year-old daughter, Jocelyn, who was to turn six years old on Wednesday.
"I saw my goddaughter. She was happy, and now she's gone," said Mayra Pike, Jocelyn's cousin.
Friends and relatives gathered outside the family home on Sunday, trying to make sense of it all.
"Diana was a really unique person, she literally could light up a room. She was always happy," said :Pike.
Diana's father and 3 year-old daughter, Jackelyn, survived the crash. The toddler is still recovering. "She woke up screaming for her mom. And we had no way of telling her, how can we tell her that her mom is no longer going to be there."
Investigators say the driver of the truck and passenger ran from the scene. The passenger found hiding nearby in an orange grove. But the driver is still on the lose. Investigators say beer bottles were found inside the truck and believe alcohol could have played a factor in the crash.
"I just want him to come forward and explain why. All we want is closure, that's all we want."
A heartbroken family is now left to raise a girl who lost her mother and big sister.
The family is planning funeral arrangements, but say they need help with funeral costs.
If you have any information on this case, you are urged to call the CHP.
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A bank account has not been set up yet, but if you would like to help the family, email Mayra Pike at mayra.hernandez12@hotmail.com
