Loved ones start fundraiser to help the family of a Fresno crash victim

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Family and friends of Daniel Martinez are mourning the loss of the 63-year-old after he was killed in a crash Monday in northeast Fresno.

A fundraiser has been organized to help his family with expenses.

Fresno police say Martinez died after a white Ford F-150 rear-ended his black sedan at the intersection of Gettysburg and Maple avenues. Police believe the driver who hit him was speeding.

Martinez was a father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Family members told Action News that he had completed his cancer treatments the week before the fatal collision.

A photo shared by the family shows Martinez standing beside a symbolic bell and holding a certificate marking the completion of his cancer treatments.

The loss has been deeply felt by those closest to him.

"It's still unreal to this day," said family friend Cassie Aguilar.

"My niece, the one that's really close to him, she took it really hard. When we found out, that's when it hit me. That's what hurt more was her reaction."

In the wake of the tragedy, loved ones have rallied to support Martinez's family.

"That's all they're going to need right now, is all the help they can get. It was just so unexpected," Aguilar said.

Aguilar said she was devastated when she learned Martinez had died.

"When I first heard about it, I wasn't sure. I didn't want to believe it. I saw the post that it was him, that's when it hit me, he's not going to be at the next function," she said.

Martinez's beloved dog, Pepper, also died in the crash.

Wanting to help the family, Aguilar organized a fundraiser. A donation jar with a photo of Martinez has been placed at Ghost Golf in North Fresno, where Aguilar works.

"Any proceeds that we do get on the donation jar here or even on Venmo or Anna Marie's CashApp is going to go directly to his funeral expenses and other expenses that do happen to come up," Aguilar said.

Aguilar tells Action News Ghost Golf was a place where Martinez spent time with his family.

"He just always had a really great personality, just always cared for others," Aguilar said.

If you would like to learn more on how you can donate to the fundraiser click here. Donations can also be made in person at Ghost Golf on Blackstone Avenue in north Fresno.

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