SPRING VALLEY (KGTV) - A heartbroken mother is pleading for justice on the eve of the first court appearance by teen suspects accused in the stolen vehicle pursuit crash that killed her daughter.
At Jamacha Road and Sweetwater Road, a candle-filled memorial pays tribute to 21-year-old Bella Chipress.
Her mother Evita Garcia says just past 10 p.m. Friday, Bella had gotten off work at Ikea and was in her car, a few blocks from home. According to the sheriff's department, two teens in a stolen minivan crashed into her car after running a red light during a pursuit.
Garcia arrived on the scene shortly after Bella's husband Miguel. Both had been looking for her after Bella didn't show up at home.
"We locked eyes immediately ... he had this look of fear in his eyes. I looked down and said, 'Is that her car?'" said a tearful Garcia.
It was her car. Bella was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
"Dropped to my knees and we cried and wailed," said Garcia.
Garcia says her daughter had just returned from a trip with her husband. They were married in June.
"She was super happy. This was the love of her life," said Garcia.
They had both recently enlisted in the Marine Corps. They were headed to boot camp in May.
"They wanted to travel. They wanted to have children. They wanted to buy a house. So many plans. They are so young. They don’t get to do that anymore," said Garcia.
On Thursday, the two suspects -- 16 and 17 years old -- will be arraigned in juvenile court. The 16-year-old was charged in relation to a handgun found in the car. Garcia says she hopes the two will be eventually charged as adults.
"Definitely want justice served. They need to be punished for the death of my daughter ... You have to be held accountable for your actions," said Garcia.
Another car was also struck in the crash. Two men and a 15-month-old child were treated for moderate to serious injuries.
A Gofundme campaign has been set up to help Bella's family with expenses.
