Gabriela Cruz, Amadelia Cruz Tragically Killed in Orange County Collision
A Monday evening walk near home ended in the deaths of two women — a mother and daughter — after a speeding driver struck them at a busy Stanton intersection.
Gabriela Cruz, 34, and her mother, Amadelia Cruz, 65, were hit by a BMW sedan at the intersection of Magnolia and Cerritos avenues around 9 p.m. on June 1. Both were transported to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
The two women were on foot in front of Gabriela’s apartment complex when the car struck them. Investigators with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said the women were not in a marked crosswalk at the time of the collision, according to KTLA.
A witness described the moments before impact. “A white BMW sped past me and made my car shake,” witness Priscilla told a local news outlet. “He cut off two cars and tried to go in front of them and hit two pedestrians.” Video from the scene showed the BMW had a shattered windshield and a crumpled hood.
Family members said Amadelia and her husband had traveled from Guatemala specifically to visit Gabriela.
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Gabriela Cruz and Amadelia Cruz Remembered
Those who knew Gabriela described a life that had been building in hopeful directions. Friends told KABC she was an Army veteran who worked in Fullerton and had married her wife in February. The couple shared a young son. A coworker put the loss simply: “Just a sad, sad situation. We’re all going to miss her dearly, and I’m sure her family is grieving over this as well, more than us,” Phillip Sanchez told KABC.
Gabriela’s coworkers visited the crash site the following day to leave flowers at a makeshift memorial. “She was a beautiful soul,” said Annarica Lopez. “She just knew exactly when you were feeling down or if you needed somebody, she just knew. We are going to miss her dearly.”
Gabriela’s cousin Amy, who is also Amadelia’s niece, spoke about both women. “She was kind, beautiful and just everything you want in a person. My aunt too. It shouldn’t have happened.”
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. Investigators said alcohol or drug impairment was not suspected, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The Dangerous Orange County Intersection
Neighbors said it is common for pedestrians to cross the street near the intersection and described a pattern of people being hurt or killed by drivers in the area. Many said an additional crosswalk, speed bump or traffic signal could prevent another fatal incident.
The absence of a marked crosswalk does not, on its own, eliminate legal liability for a driver. Under California law, drivers owe a duty of care to all pedestrians on or near a roadway regardless of where the pedestrian is crossing. When a driver is traveling at excessive speed or operating a vehicle erratically — as witnesses described in this case — that conduct can establish negligence independently of the pedestrian’s position on the road. Surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. Where a municipality has received notice that an intersection poses a persistent danger and failed to act, a separate claim against the government entity may be available, subject to the strict filing deadlines imposed by the California Government Claims Act.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has not released the identity of the driver. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help the Cruz family with funeral expenses.