Community raises funds for family that lost two daughters in Gilroy crash

Memorial marks where 2 girls were killed in Gilroy crash

The parents of two little girls killed in a traffic collision in the South Bay last Friday are coming to grips with this tragedy as a memorial marks where the accident happened along Highway 152.

GILROY, Calif. - A family in Morgan Hill is grieving after the death of two of their young loved ones due to a crash along Highway 152 east of Gilroy.

The two girls, who died after the crash on Friday, have been identified as 7-year-old Elisa Ornelas and 4-year-old Valentina Ornelas.

The driver of a Tesla tried to pass a tractor trailer, clipping its front, and spinning into oncoming traffic. The Ornelas' Honda was struck by the Tesla before it collided head-on with a Dodge, California Highway Patrol said. A total of five vehicles were involved. The crash caused the Dodge to collide with the big rig as well.

Elisa was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, while Valentina was taken to the hospital and later died.

A 1-year-old in the same car was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

The Ornelas family spoke with KTVU by phone. They said the girls loved farm animals and the outdoors. They said the girls adored their baby brother and their parents, all of whom survived the crash.

On Monday, a memorial marking the spot along the highway where the accident occurred could be seen.

"It broke my heart because I have three kids, so that's why it got me more worried because it's always really scary to head over here," said Viri Garibaldo, who was driving on Highway 152 on Friday.

As the family and community are still trying to process what happened, a GoFundMe was established to raise funds for the girls' parents, Cesar and Maribel Ornelas.

Elisa and Valentina Ornelas pose for their baby brother's pregnancy announcement. ((Photo courtesy of GoFundMe))

The girl's aunt, Gabriela Llamas, wrote, "As you know, there was a very painful tragedy in our family, we have two little angels in heaven."

All funds will go towards the services and the needs of the family, Llamas said.

The crowd source fund has raised more than $51,000 as of Monday.

"A lot of people are trying to go fast and jump other cars. And it's scary so I think a lot of people need to be careful driving around here," Garibaldo said.

Daniel Lopez runs a farm stand nearby. He said there are too many fatal accidents here. He said something needs to change.

"I think they're passing. This is a road that nobody wants to wait, you know, because it's only one line, said Lopez of Farmers' Market.

The Ornelas family had been planning a trip out of town when the accident happened.

"It's something really sad, so I had to come bring them a little teddy bear and flowers," said Garibaldo.

Elisa was a second-grader at Jackson Academy of Math and Music. Their principal plans to speak to the class on Tuesday and make grief counselors available.

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were factors in this crash.

Anyone with more information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Vasquez with CHP Hollister at 408-427-0700.