GILROY (KRON) — The victim of a Gilroy car crash last weekend has been identified as the daughter of San Jose fire captain Christopher Salcido.
Natalia Salcido, 15, was a passenger in a car that crashed into a tree in the 6300 block of Miller Avenue in Gilroy around 10 p.m. Saturday, police said.
The two other teens involved in the accident were able to walk away from the crash without injury, but Natalia suffered major trauma and later died of her injuries, according to police.
“The San Jose Fire Department mourns the loss of Natalia Salcido, cherished daughter of Andora Salcido and Fire Captain Christopher Salcido and beloved sister of Noelle,” city fire officials said in a statement issued today.
“The news of Natalia’s passing has been difficult for the San Jose Fire Department family. We are maintaining close contact with the Salcido family and we stand ready to provide support and comfort in any way that we can,” fire officials said.
Natalia was about to finish her sophomore year at Christopher High School in Gilroy where she was an honors student, cheerleader and member of the Associated Student Body leadership group, school principal Paul Winslow said.
“She was very, very well-loved among students and staff here,” Winslow said.
More than a thousand people attended a vigil Monday in her honor at the school’s football stadium.
The family is holding a noon memorial service for Natalia at the school’s gym this Sunday, on what would have been her 16th birthday, Winslow said.
Grief counselors are available at the school for both teachers and students.
Dawn LaHue Guillen, a family friend of Natalia’s, said the death has “rocked everybody to their very core.”
“She was a shining light on the campus,” Guillen said.
Guillen has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the 15-year-old’s funeral expenses.
The fundraiser had generated $5,305, exceeding its $5,000 goal, as of late this morning. Donations can be made online at http://www.gofundme.com/u7n9z8