An Escondido woman who was critically injured on June 18 when a car she was riding in went off the side of the road and landed upside down in a swimming pool died Saturday, according to authorities.
Ashley Garcia, 22, and her boyfriend Robert Aaron Anderson were traveling along Calavo Drive east of Nordahl Road in Escondido just before midnight when their vehicle went off the road and crashed into a pool in the backyard of a residence.
Garcia was transported to Palomar Hospital following the crash, where the medical examiner confirmed she was diagnosed with an anoxic brain injury.
According to a report released by the medical examiner Saturday, Garcia had remained on life support at the hospital since the June 18 crash, and had been declared brain dead. She died Saturday at 12:30 p.m., the report stated.
Garcia’s father, Sean Garcia, confirmed his daughter’s death to NBC 7 San Diego Saturday and said her family has decided to donate 20 of her organs to patients who might need them.
According to authorities, Anderson was driving at a high rate of speed at the time of this deadly swimming pool collision. Officials said Anderson’s 2006 Kia Rio veered to the right, crashed through a fence and landed in a backyard pool.
Anderson managed to make his way out of the wreckage on his own, while Garcia was pulled out of the car by neighbor Jarit Welles, 22, who dove into the pool to help Garcia after seeing the crash.
Following the crash, residents in the area told NBC 7 San Diego that locals call that particular stretch of road in Escondido “Rollercoaster Road.”
On Saturday, Garcia's father posted a touching photo tribute to his daughter online. The video can be seen here.
On Monday, June 25, various Chili's restaurants in San Diego County will take part in a memorial fundraiser for Garcia's family. Garcia was an employee at Chili's at the time of her death.
If you mention Garcia's name while dining, Chili's will donate 15 percent of sales from your bill to the family's memorial fund.
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