– Southern California family mourns loss of teenage daughter in Orange County crash
– Grieving family in SoCal after tragic loss of 14-year-old daughter in car accident.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Newport Beach, CA — A family from Southern California is reaching out to the community for support after a devastating incident that claimed the life of their 14-year-old daughter. Rosenda Smiley, a resident of Rialto, was tragically killed in a DUI crash while walking on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach.
The tragic event occurred on a Saturday evening near the intersection of eastbound Balboa Street and westbound Palm Street, when a drunk driver struck Rosenda. The impact of the collision was fatal, leaving the young girl’s loved ones shattered by the sudden loss.
Describing Rosenda as a dedicated student, a beloved daughter, a cherished sister, and a friend to many, a family friend named Crystal Collins expressed the profound impact of her passing on the Smiley family. Collins shared on the family’s GoFundMe page, “She left us smiling, enjoying the sunshine, and experiencing a joyous weekend with her friends and her boyfriend before it was tragically cut short by a drunk driver.”
Driver identified and Charges
The driver involved in the incident has been identified as 30-year-old Joseph Alcazar from Fontana. Tragically, Rosenda was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The criminal complaint also states that Alcazar is accused of injuring another girl and endangering a third individual in the same incident.
Reports from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office reveal that Alcazar’s 8-year-old daughter was in the car during the collision. Additionally, a 13-year-old girl sustained injuries when her foot was run over during the tragic event.
Due to Alcazar’s previous convictions for driving under the influence and reckless driving, the charge against him has been upgraded to murder instead of voluntary manslaughter. This decision could potentially result in a life sentence for the accused, as opposed to a fixed term in prison typically associated with manslaughter convictions.
The criminal complaint further indicates that Alcazar was driving with a blood-alcohol level of .16 at the time of the collision.
Support the Family
In light of the tragedy, Rosenda’s family has set up a GoFundMe account to help cover funeral expenses and provide support during this difficult time. Residents who wish to contribute and show their solidarity can visit the family’s GoFundMe page here.
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– SoCal Family Grieves Loss Of Year Old Daughter After Crash In OC
– SoCal Family Grieves Loss Of Daughter After Crash In OC.
