Family identify three children killed in Madera County crash

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Three siblings were killed Saturday evening erstwhile a minivan collided with a semi-truck astatine a agrarian intersection successful Madera County, authorities said.

Family members identified the victims arsenic 6-year-old Serenity Valenzuela, 15-year-old James Valle and 17-year-old Jezzy Valle.

"They were each cheerful and ever afloat of life, conscionable smiling," said their cousin, Benny Ramirez Jr.

The clang happened astatine Avenue 7 and Road 24, wherever a memorial of flowers and balloons present stands.

The California Highway Patrol said a 48-year-old pistillate driving a minivan with her 3 children and their grandma ran a halt motion and was struck by an oncoming semi.

The CHP says intoxicant and drugs bash not look to beryllium factors.

Ramirez said the driver, his cousin, was a azygous parent devoted to her children.

"Her full beingness was astir the kids due to the fact that she was a azygous mother. That was her thing: worrying astir taking attraction of her kids. That was her main priority," helium stated.

The household had near his location little than a 4th mile distant moments earlier the crash.

"We heard a large bang, they went to spell cheque and we realized she had been progressive successful an accident," helium recalled.

The CHP said the children were wearing seatbelts incorrectly, with the straps lone crossed their laps.

"As a driver, wage attraction to the roadworthy and you are besides liable for each the passengers successful your vehicle," CHP Officer Sergio Moreno said. "They person to beryllium wearing seatbelts, particularly the small ones."

Both drivers and the grandma were injured but are expected to survive.

The intersection has been the tract of aggregate fatal crashes, and Ramirez called it unsafe due to the fact that of constricted informing signs.

"There's nary signs close determination saying halt up until you get to the halt sign," helium explained.

The household has acceptable up a GoFundMe leafage to assistance with expenses.

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