Pomona Family Of Four Dies In NorCal Crash

POMONA, CA — Loved ones of a family of four who passed away in a horrific crash in Merced County started a GoFundMe to raise money toward funeral expenses, Patch has learned.

Victims Samuel Soto, his girlfriend Alondra Lara, who was pregnant at the time, and two boys Nicholas and Diego Soto, 9- and 2-years old, all perished in a crash during a trip to the Bay Area, media outlets reported. According to the gofundme page, the crash was witnessed by Lara's parents and siblings as they followed behind the victims in a separate vehicle.

Authorities originally withheld the names of the victims pending next-of-kin notifications, though a relative disclosed the names of the family over GoFundMe.

The Soto family was in a 2017 Nissan Altima about 8:30 p.m. Sunday on eastbound state Route 153, west of Gonzaga Road near Los Banos, when Soto lost control of the sedan.

The vehicle, which was traveling between 65 and 75 miles per hour, went from the No. 1 eastbound lane across the No. 2 lane, through the dirt and grass median, across the westbound lanes and north shoulder before striking a tree broadside, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Shannon Stiers.

All four victims died at the scene.

Lara was not using a safety restraint at the time of the crash, according to the CHP.

Officers reported that neither alcohol nor drugs, nor weather conditions, appeared to be factors in the crash, which is under investigation.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the gofundme effort had raised about $4,150 toward a $60,000 goal.