12-Year-Old Girl Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver Near Terra Bella School
A 12-year-old girl was fatally struck by a driver suspected of being intoxicated while crossing Avenue 95 near Terra Bella Elementary School.
On Monday evening, Janessa Gonzalez, a 12-year-old resident of Terra Bella, was crossing Avenue 95 near the local elementary school when she was struck by a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Anthony Chavez-Valencia of Porterville. Police from the California Highway Patrol indicated that the driver was likely intoxicated at the time of the collision. Emergency responders rushed Gonzalez to Sierra View Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The tragedy occurred only nine days before her planned 13th birthday, leaving her family to grieve the loss of a bright and lively child. Relatives described her as a fighter who had overcome early medical challenges. A fundraiser has been set up to help the family cover unexpected expenses related to the incident.
Why it matters
The death highlights the dangers of impaired driving and its impact on families and communities.
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