Funeral Services Planned For Del Mar High School Student Killed by VTA Train

—By Bay City News Service

A memorial service and funeral for 14-year-old Danika Garcia on Sunday and Monday will celebrate the life of the teen fatally struck by a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light-rail train last week.

Danika, a freshman at Del Mar High School in the Campbell Union High School District, was hit while bicycling Friday around 7:35 a.m. near Stokes Street and Southwest Expressway on her way to a singing performance at her school, according to her cousin Jessica Williams.

According to Williams, Danika was rushing to get to the performance on time when she was struck.

Her family waited at a hospital for several hours before they were told Danika had suffered fatal injuries and lost too much blood in the accident, according to Williams.

An online fundraising website has been set up to help the family pay for funeral expenses.

The site states its goal of reaching $10,000 to go toward funeral and memorial services.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Willow Glen Funeral Home at 1039 Lincoln Ave. in San Jose.

A reception will follow the service at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall across the street.

On Monday, a burial procession will begin at 10 a.m. at the Willow Glen Funeral Home and arrive around 11 a.m. at the Oak Hill Cemetery at 300 Curtner Ave. in San Jose.

On the website, Williams wrote, "The entire family is deeply saddened by the loss of our sweet dear Danika."

Danika leaves behind her parents and a brother who is in fifth grade.

As of this morning nearly $7,300 had been raised on the site.

 After the high school learned about the incident, additional grief counselors were made available to students and staff, Campbell Union High School District spokesman Michael Posey said.

Support staff continues to be available for students and staff this week, he said.

An informal vigil took place at the site of the crash Saturday night, which is near the school.

A growing memorial with candles, teddy bears, and signs has gone on the side of the school near the train tracks in honor of Danika, Posey said.

Danika was hit by a northbound train on the Mountain View-Winchester line.

There were 40 passengers on the train at the time of the accident, according to VTA officials.

The crossing arms were down, warning lights were on and there were bells ringing at the time of the accident, transit officials said.

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ALSO ON CAMPBELL PATCH:

• Girl on Bicycle Dies After Being Struck by VTA Train
• Girl Killed by VTA Train Was Del Mar High School Student

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