A group of Oceanside teenagers spent their Saturday raising money for a family who lost three members in a deadly car crash.
The crash happened on Feb. 5 at the intersection of Oceanside Boulevard and Coast Highway. Petra Arango, her mother Rufina, and sister Eloina were all killed when the car they were riding in was hit by a pickup truck that ran a red light. Three other family members were in the car and are recovering from their injuries.
“You never expected something like this to happen,” said Eliza Ramirez, a relative of the crash victims.
“Not only to take one person, but there’s three. Three people lost here and we need to help each other,” Ramirez added.
Ramirez, alongside students from El Camino High School, sold food and gifts at Buccaneer Park, in hopes of helping the Arango family with funeral and medical expenses.
Many of the students did not know the crash victims, but they felt a strong need to help their neighbors.
“Having something like this where people can come together, it shows you the value Oceanside has for the members of its community,” said Darko Alva, a student at El Camino High School.
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Saturday’s fundraiser was organized by the student group, “Latino Leadership Club.”
Friends of the Arango family have set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs.
