Family wants justice for grandmother killed in car collision

A grandmother’s death has devastated an El Centro family.

68-year-old Maria Garcia was struck and killed by a car driven by a 20-year-old woman who admitted to smoking marijuana that day.

Garcia’s daughter, Margaret, said her family is devastated by their loss.

“I lost my mom. I lost my mom. And I’m never going to see here again. Never. She broke all her bones. She tore her skin from her face and her chest. She broke her arms, her legs, her ribs, her kidneys,” Margaret said.

She explained that just after Christmas, Garcia was crossing the Fourth Avenue and Holt intersection after buying donuts for her grandkids.

8-year-old Evelyn Canchola remembers how Garcia would habitually go to the donut shop nearby and bring back goodies.

“And she brings them here. And she gives me everything I ask. And then she goes donut shop, and she goes to buy candies and sodas for me,” Canchola said.

Police identified the driver as Adriana Clarissa Flores. They found Garcia’s blood-splattered slipper underneath Flores’ car and strands of Garcia’s hair on the shattered windshield.

Margaret would like to give Flores this message, “I want to tell you, you destroyed a family. You destroyed my family, my kids.”

Garcia’s injuries were so massive the family had the view services with a closed casket.

“Her life was taken away from three grandkids and a grandbaby,” Garcia said.

Evelyn would like to tell her grandmother something she said was very important.

“Grandma, I’ll always love you, and you’re always going to be my grandma every year, every single day and forever,” Canchola said.

The District Attorney’s Office said the case was still under review. The family wonders why justice is taking so long.