Officials say 43-year-old Maria Rodriguez was killed when two pickup trucks lost control while racing on Pasadena Boulevard. One of the trucks slammed into her car, trapping her.
According to investigators, Rodriguez was just an innocent bystander who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Rodriguez's best friend and a spokesperson for her family, Ariana De Valdivia, says the mother of five was headed to pick up her children when the crash happened.
De Valdivia told us this tragedy is compounded by the loss of the children's father in another accident less than a year and a half ago.
"The youngest son was only four years old when this happened, so he's barely getting to understand that his dad is no longer here," family spokesperson said. "And now this sweet little six-year-old boy now has to face the fact that his mom is also gone, too."
Authorities have said the two drivers who were allegedly racing will face charges.
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