Family of Two Young Girls Killed in Phelan Crash Launches GoFundMe
PHELAN, Calif. (VVNG.com) – Following a crash that claimed the lives of two young girls, the Puentes family is reaching out to the community for support during this difficult time.
On the afternoon of January 26, 2024, 18-year-old Alexandra Puentes had just picked up her 13-year-old sister and 12-year-old cousin from school at Riverside Preparatory, with her one-year-old toddler niece accompanying them in the car. After sharing a meal out, they were en route to their home in Phelan when the unforeseen occurred.
As they were attempting to turn onto their street from westbound Phelan Road onto northbound Nevada Road, just minutes away from their house, a white Ecoline Ford Van collided with the back of their white Toyota Camry.
Despite the swift response from emergency services, Gulliana, aged 13, and her niece Analia, a 1-year-old toddler, died from their injuries at the scene. They were occupants in the backseat of the Camry.
Alexandra and her cousin, Sebastian Puentes, who occupied the front seat beside her, both sustained severe injuries that required hospitalization. While Alexandra was subsequently discharged, Sebastian’s condition progressed to stable, as per the latest updates.
Alexandra Puentes recollects the horrifying event: “I waited and the last thing I remember seeing was a white van heading towards us.” she told Victor Valley News.
“That’s the last thing I remembered, I woke up in the hospital asking for them until ultimately they had told me that both my sister and niece had died on the scene,” she added.
Grief-stricken, Alexandra remembers her sister Gulliana as a joyful teenager who brought laughter to those around her, and Analia as the cherished youngest member of their family who adored dancing and playing.
“Please help support our funeral for our babies. They didn’t deserve this,” she wrote.
The driver of the van emerged from the incident unharmed.
Those who wish to contribute can do so at the family’s GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gulliana-puentes-alani-puentes
