'FUNNY AND INDEPENDENT:' Daughter mourns mom killed after crash involving teen driver
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A daughter is speaking out after her mother was killed in a crash involving a 14-year-old driver.
Silvia Zavala, 43, died on New Year's Day when a teen driver reportedly ran a red light and crashed into her Ford F-150.
ABC13 spoke with Zavala's daughter, Jessica Gaspar, who described her mother as "happy, funny and independent."
Gaspar said her mother was visiting her family in Houston for the New Year and running errands before traveling back to her home in McAllen.
"She was about to go back. She was about to come home and get her stuff and say bye and she was about to leave. She couldn't say bye," Gaspar said.
The 14-year-old and two other teens said they were getting chased by another driver when they crashed into Zavala. The 14-year-old has since been charged with murder.
"He did what he did. He took my mother's life so he has to pay for what happened," said Gaspar.
Investigators spent New Year's Day searching for the driver accused of chasing the teens. The 30-year-old driver was found Wednesday.
Deputies say he is being questioned and is cooperating with the investigation.
He is not charged, but could face charges in the future.
Investigators say the 30-year-old started chasing the teens after they reportedly egged his car. The chase lasted for about half a mile down Aldine Mail Route Road before the fatal crash.
Zavala leaves behind two children and four grandchildren.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help them with funeral expenses.
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