Large Vigil Held For 3 Moreno Valley Teens Killed In 405 Freeway Crash
MORENO VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Hundreds of friends, family and loved ones gathered at Valley View High School on Wednesday evening to remember three young lives cut short in a traffic accident on the 405 freeway last weekend.
Three close friends died in the Saturday morning crash. Friends and family said the trio was coming back from the beach with another friend.
KCAL9's Andrea Fujii attended the emotional vigil.
"I'm happy to see many people came out," said one classmate choking back tears.
The deceased were identified as 16-year-old Nicole Hache, 16-year-old Kiara Quilo and 19-year-old Aldo Noe Verdin Acosta. He was driving.
The CHP said the 2008 Toyota Scion XB crashed near Century Boulevard.
"Nicole, you are my guardian angel," said her cousin Alexis Sanchez, "And I know you are watching over us."
People shared tears and hugs and memories of the three.
Regarding his niece Nicole, Javier Ariaza said, "She was a wonderful little young girl. Taken away too soon."
Devin Thomas, 19, survived the crash and remains hospitalized. His uncle told Fujii he hasn't been told his best friends are dead.
"We're praying that we can find the words," said Damien Smith, "to actually explain to him what happened."
Family and friends told her that Aldo and Nicole had been dating for about a year.
Through a translator, Aldo's dad said they were a happy couple.
"I am sure wherever she is, with my son," said Alessandro Acosta, "they're going to be holding hands. They loved each other very much."
Loved ones held candles and released balloons into the sky.
Many people in the Moreno Valley community said the tragedy has touched them all.
The CHP is investigating the cause of the crash but believes speed was a likely factor.
