Stroke by stroke, the family of 21-year old Gypsie Yanes colors in the letters of her name, filling a hole on the cross placed at scene where she died, but knowing they will never fill the hole in their hearts.
"She had a big heart, a big personality and she's going to be missed," said Cousin Paula Sipe.
Her family says Yanes was one of four who died Saturday night when the car they were in was hit by a suspected drunk driver. Family members say she was on her way back from the lake with her boyfriend and his siblings, an idyllic day nearly complete when everything changed at the intersection ofBethel
"At this intersection it is controlled by a posted stop sign. Mr. Perez ran the stop sign and broadsided a 1990 Grand Marquis," said Sgt. Patrick Etchebarne with California Highway Patrol.
The resulting collision was violent enough to send debris flying across the road and throw two passengers out of the car, one died at the scene and two others died before they reached the hospital.
"And a little after5:45 this morning we have a confirmed fourth fatality," said Etchebarne.
The cars lone survivor, driver Gilbert Guiba, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Suspected drunk driver Steven Perez and his passenger Luis Flores remain hospitalized with major injuries.
Out at the scene, two indentations in the dirt show where the vehicles came to rest and in the middle is Gypsie’s cross, a reminder of a life cut short and a girl family members say would be there for them now if only she could.
"She would be comforting you, she would be there telling you everything was going to be ok," said Sipe.
"She had a big heart, a big personality and she's going to be missed," said Cousin Paula Sipe.
Her family says Yanes was one of four who died Saturday night when the car they were in was hit by a suspected drunk driver. Family members say she was on her way back from the lake with her boyfriend and his siblings, an idyllic day nearly complete when everything changed at the intersection of
"At this intersection it is controlled by a posted stop sign. Mr. Perez ran the stop sign and broadsided a 1990 Grand Marquis," said Sgt. Patrick Etchebarne with California Highway Patrol.
The resulting collision was violent enough to send debris flying across the road and throw two passengers out of the car, one died at the scene and two others died before they reached the hospital.
"And a little after
The cars lone survivor, driver Gilbert Guiba, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Suspected drunk driver Steven Perez and his passenger Luis Flores remain hospitalized with major injuries.
Out at the scene, two indentations in the dirt show where the vehicles came to rest and in the middle is Gypsie’s cross, a reminder of a life cut short and a girl family members say would be there for them now if only she could.
"She would be comforting you, she would be there telling you everything was going to be ok," said Sipe.