Family and friends remember woman killed in Fresno County crash during vigil
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- The family of a 47-year-old woman who was killed in a car crash on Monday in Fresno County is speaking out about their heartbreaking loss.
Fernanda Garcia remembers her mother, Belinda Chacon, as loving, caring, and accepting.
"She always did what she could for everyone even if she was struggling herself, so I know she's in heaven and I know she is going to watch over everybody," said Fernanda.
Fernanda says she feels robbed and says the crash could have been prevented.
On Monday afternoon. a Ford F450 work truck, pulling a trailer didn't see the traffic stopped at the light on Highway 41 at Elkhorn.
The truck hit Belinda's car, crushing it into a Chevy and a semi-truck she was stopped behind.
Officials say it appears that the driver of the Ford truck was distracted.
"It could've been avoided, like my mom would have been here you know. So it's really hard. It's really hard, but I really hope that this allows for them to really bring awareness to paying attention to what you're doing especially when you're driving because he is fine, you know," explained Fernanda.
Belinda was in the passenger seat, her boyfriend was driving, and her two-year-old grandson, Josiah, was in the back, in a car seat, which likely saved his life.
"I feel like it's a very big loss but at the same time I feel she was the one that was watching over him and saved him because he was pinned in the car," mentioned Fernanda.
"So, I'm very thankful to still have my friends and my family and my son. Because like I said, it could have definitely been worse. I lost my mom, but I could've lost my son and my mom."
Fernanda describes her mom as hardworking, she was currently working at a fast food restaurant.
Belinda was a single mom and moved to Fresno from Mexico over 25 years ago.
She loved her grandchildren and was even helping Fernanda raise baby Josiah.
Fernanda says Belinda and her boyfriend were out running errands and having ice cream.
Now, she's gone, just hours before Josiah's second birthday.
While her son is okay, she now has to plan a funeral instead of his birthday celebrations.
"We are supposed to be lighting candles for his cake and now we are having to hold candle lights and figure out funeral arrangements," Fernanda said.
On Tuesday night, family and friends gathered to remember Belinda during a candlelight vigil at the site of the crash.
"She was everything to me, she was my best friend, she was who I called. I really feel like they took more than just a person, they took everything," said Fernanda during the vigil.
"I am very grateful that everybody is coming out to show their support and show that they had love for my mom especially after everything. Everybody really came together for us, you know."
The family has also created a GoFundMe for those who wish to help.
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