Family mourns 23 year-old mother who died in crash caused by unlicensed teen driver

A grieving Tulare County family is sharing their loved one’s story tonight after a young mother was killed in a crash caused by an unlicensed teenager.

“A beautiful soul, so caring, loving, funny in so many ways,” Johana Robles, heartbroken and in tears, remembers her younger sister, 23-year-old Jessica Velazquez.

She was a mother who loved her daughter and working with children in Visalia’s after-school program.

“She was just full of life,” Johana reflects.

Jessica’s life was cut short on Monday due to an accident thought to have been caused by a 19-year-old unlicensed driver.

The California Highway Patrol said the 19-year-old BMW driver veered into the left lane for unknown reasons, striking the driver’s side of the Jeep and causing it to leave the roadway.

“The BMW sedan remained on the road and the driver was able to exit the vehicle before it was completely engulfed,” CHP Officer Adrian Gonzalez said.

The driver, who was taken to the hospital, continues to treat the injured.

Jessica and her 2-year-old daughter were also hospitalized.

Jessica passed away just after midnight the next day.

Johana recalls: ‘I remember walking into the room, seeing her face. All I could do was hug his face and kiss his cold body.’

Johana was the last person to see Jessica before the accident.

He recalls: “I hugged my sister and told her I loved her. I was going to bed, so I waited for her text, so I got ready for bed and laid down. I was reading the Bible and falling asleep, so I closed my eyes and didn’t pay attention to the time, then I woke up to a phone call from my mother crying and saying my nephew and sister had gone to the hospital.”

Johana had also reminded her sister to drive safely, and now her message to drivers was: “Remember, there are others out there, there are people driving, there are children, you have to be careful. We may be so blind and naive right now and not think about it, but you really have to be considerate of your surroundings.”

Johana and her husband are currently looking after their nephew. They describe it

The family says they are grateful they didn’t lose either of them, while Jessica’s little girl was left with only some bruising.

Jessica’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses; You can access this link here Here.

The California Highway Patrol said the investigation will be extensive and will take at least several weeks to complete.

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