Arianna Perez died Thursday after a vehicle went off Highway 168 near Littlefield Road and plunged nearly 60 feet down a cliff, according to the California Highway Patrol.
"You open Christmas presents together, you know, and like birthday parties together, just you know, she's never gonna see me turn 18. She's never gonna see me graduate," said Perez's sister, Amiryes Perez.
Investigators believe the driver, 32-year-old Ricardo Arceo-Tapia, was under the influence when the crash occurred. Perez and her boyfriend were passengers in the vehicle.
Arceo-Tapia and Perez's boyfriend survived the wreck. CHP investigators reported that Perez was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.
Family members described Arceo-Tapia as an acquaintance of the young couple.
Perez's father and sister shared their grief and frustration as they try to cope with the loss.
"17 years is not enough. 17 years would never be enough, and you know I'm just never gonna get to see her again," Amiryes Perez said.
"You're supposed to go before your kid, not the other way around. So it's just hard. It's very painful," said her father, Anthony Perez.
Loved ones described Arianna Perez as adventurous, caring and full of life.
"Very full of life. She loved living, exploring, going to the beach, collecting sand dollars. Like that's just who Nana was. She was very, very open and very alive," Amiryes Perez said.
Perez's boyfriend, David Jimenez, also spoke publicly about the ordeal and the moment he learned she had died.
"I didn't feel no pain at that moment. I just the reality hit me. I'm like, I'm like, no, don't tell me you don't tell me," Jimenez said.
Meanwhile, Arceo-Tapia appeared in court for the first time. His arraignment was postponed for another week as he seeks private legal counsel.
Court documents obtained by Action News show Arceo-Tapia was on probation for a separate DUI conviction he received less than a month ago.
Perez's family said they were unaware of his recent conviction and are now focused on seeing him held accountable.
"There is anger, and there is frustration, and there is, and there will be justice one way or another," Amiryes Perez said.
Arceo-Tapia is scheduled to return to court next week for arraignment proceedings.
Perez's family has established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses.
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