Father and daughter killed in crash involving semi-truck in Fresno County

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The two people who were killed in a crash involving a semi-truck in Fresno County have been identified as 50-year-old Rogelio Avila and his daughter, 20-year-old Yessenia Avila.

Just before 8 am, near Chestnut and Annandale avenues, Rogelio and Yessenia's pickup truck ran into a big rig, getting pinned underneath.

Authorities say Yessenia was a student at Fresno Pacific University and that Rogelio was driving her to class.

"I'm literally lost for words. This is such a shock to me and my whole family, how one day he's so happy, and then the next day he's gone," said Hector Lugo, Rogelio's brother.

Tuesday afternoon, one by one, family members started to arrive at the crash site, trying to make sense of the tragedy.

"It's a hole that can't be filled," said Juan Espinoza, Yessenia's Uncle.

Hector says Rogelio was so much more than a brother.

"He was also like a father to me. He raised me. He was the one that I looked up to, as a young adult, as a man," said Hector.

Rogelio was an electrician, and Hector says if you needed him, he never hesitated to lend a hand.

"He was always willing to give his shirt off his back for you no matter what the circumstances were. He was always there to help out,' said Hector.

Yessenia's other uncle, Juan Espinoza says she's someone who brought joy to every family reunion.

"She was a delight, always in a good spirit, always a pleasure to be around," said Espinoza.

She was a junior at Fresno Pacific University and worked full-time at Subway while also taking care of her elderly aunt on the weekends.

Getting so much done each and every day of her life, which has been cut short.

"She was 20, but to me, she was always my little girl. It's going to be difficult because she had her whole life in front of her," said Hector.

She completed a nursing assistant program, and her ultimate goal was to become a doctor.

"Excellent student, and I'm sad to say, she won't make it to be a doctor," said Juan.

Fresno Pacific released a statement on Yessenia's death, saying:

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the Avila family in the wake of this tragedy. Yessenia was a junior majoring in pre-health science and a valued member of the Fresno Pacific University community. We pray for comfort and healing for all who knew Yessenia and her father, Rogelio. FPU will make counseling available to students, faculty and staff."

As family members finish the memorial and hug and console each other, they say to be cautious when driving in inclement weather.

"We're in the Central Valley, we get crazy, just sometimes you can't see anything, we just got to be safe out there," said Hector.

A GoFundMe has been started to help the family pay for funeral expenses.

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