One driver was having issues with the hood of her car at about 3am Sunday, so she got off the beltway and parked on the side of the feeder road, all the while leaving her taillights on and her hazard lights blinking.
Rita Reyes and her sister Soyla were on their way to drop off Soyla's girlfriend, Jackie Rocha, at home. The car they were in began experiencing mechanical problems and that's when they pulled over. Both Reyes and the passenger of the car got out to try to fix it. Two other passengers in the back of the car stayed inside.
The driver, Rita Reyes, tells us she saw a white pickup truck speeding down the road and despite her attempts to flag that vehicle down, the driver of that pickup truck slammed right into them. Authorities say Rocha, 23, died on impact. Her friends believe she died trying to save her girlfriend's life.
Rita Reyes said, "Jackie was over my sister, you know when it happened we kind of had to lift Jackie to get my sister from underneath her."
Soyla Reyes was taken to a nearby hospital where she is recovering from a fractured spine, among other injuries.
Authorities have charged Sergio Sanchez, Jr., with intoxication manslaughter. They believe he was driving drunk when he slammed into the car.
A small flower arrangement dropped off by the victim's family marks the location of the accident. They tell us Jackie Rocha was such a wonderful young lady and they are still shocked and angry by what has happened.
