Teen speaks out after DUI crash killed her mother, relatives in Pomona

A Southern California teenager is speaking out after a violent DUI crash killed three of her family members, including her mother, on the 60 Freeway.

Amid heartbreak and anguish, 17-year-old Itzel Moreno said she’s trying to hold it together for her family.

“We’re here to raise awareness about drunk driving and just trying to raise funds for the funeral because it is three of them that we have to bury and it is a lot,” Itzel told KTLA’s Jennifer McGraw.

Itzel’s mother, Rachel Moreno, her Tia Jazmine Ramos and her one-and-a-half year old nephew Ezra were all taken away in a split second on the night of March 22.

“He hit them, head on, and killed them instantly,” said Itzel.

According to a CHP spokesperson, the collision was first reported around 11 p.m. on the westbound 60 Freeway near Reservoir Street in Pomona.

The wrong-way driver was going east in the westbound lanes, the spokesperson said, when he struck the victims’ Honda Civic, along with another vehicle.

The crash was so violent that it killed all three in the Honda Civic and left their cars mangled in the center divider.

“They were also full of love, and they were genuinely the last people that I thought would ever have this happen to them,” said Itzel.

The driver, identified as 24-year-old Rick Rodriguez, died in the hospital the next day.

Now, the victims’ family members from Huntington Park have to lay their loved ones to rest.

“To anyone watching, hug your family members tight, even the people you haven’t talked to in a while; tell them that you love them, tell them they’re important to you because you never know when it might be your last chance to tell them that,” said Itzel.

Two GoFundMe campaigns, which can be found here and here, have been organized, as well as a car wash, to help raise money for funeral expenses.

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