Cat Habitat Room At SPCA Dedicated To Woman Killed In 2017 Crash

DUBLIN, CA — Alexys "Lexy" Garcia absolutely loved all animals. The 25-year-old Livermore native was a popular pet sitter and it was well known among her friends and family that her spirit animal was a mermaid. Born with a love of creatures, she couldn’t wait to have her own.

In November of 2017, Garcia was planning on bringing two new kittens home after visiting them regularly at her sister’s house where they had been fostered since the little balls of fluff were just two weeks old. In anticipation of her new fur babies, Garcia bought toys and had already selected names.

"TigerLily and Leia are my life," Garcia wrote in a text to her older sister Karyn McQueen.

The night before Garcia was supposed to bring Princess TigerLily and Princess Leia home, she was seriously injured during a collision in Livermore. Garcia eventually succumbed to her injuries and died in the hospital a week later.

McQueen was fostering the kittens at the time of the ill-fated crash.

"The kittens ended up being a huge blessing for me," McQueen told Patch. "They got me going through those first few months."

Since her death, Garcia’s family has tried to cope with their overwhelming grief. Garcia’s mother, Kinga Garcia, wanted to honor her daughter’s memory and love of animals and so a feline habitat room at the East Bay SPCA in Dublin has been dedicated in her honor.

"From the time she was born, Lexy had a heartwarming connection with animals," Kinga told Patch. "She grew up with multiple cats in her home at all times, but she also loved dogs, horses, birds, reptiles, and even insects. When she got older she soon became everyone's favorite pet sitter because of how special she made each animal feel. She looked so forward to adopting a pair of her own kittens (feral fosters), which was to happen on Thanksgiving 2017, the day after the crash. The family has chosen to raise her kittens, Princess TigerLily and Princess Leia (Lexy had already named them) in her honor."

Garcia’s family and friends gathered at the shelter, where she used to volunteer, on June 18 to commemorate the room. A plaque on the door reads, "Alexys Angela Garcia 1992 – 2017. Her heart belonged to every animal she ever met."

The group was all smiles as they toasted to Garcia's memory.

Three shelter cats quickly made themselves comfortable in "Lexy's Room." One was adopted Wednesday and the other two are ready for adoption. McQueen said Maurice and Sarah are in need of forever homes.

The shelter released a statement about the dedication:

"On Tuesday, June 18, family and friends of Alexys 'Lexy' Garcia gathered at the East Bay SPCA in Dublin to commemorate a feline habitat room that her family has named in her memory. Her mother, Kinga Elizabeth Garcia, and sisters Karyn and Kristyn, have found comfort and inspiration in this very fitting tribute to Lexy, who served as an East Bay SPCA volunteer and was a friend and advocate for all animals, especially shelter cats in need. Lexy's name and spirit of caring for animals will live on in perpetuity through a plaque that reads 'Alexys Angela Garcia 1992 – 2017. Her heart belonged to every animal she ever met.' If you are interested in honoring a special person, pet or occasion by supporting the lifesaving programs of the East Bay SPCA with a donation of any amount, please visit their website."

The woman who was driving the car the night of the grisly collision is due in court Friday. Lauren April Davis, 28, who is being held without bail at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, is facing numerous other charges relating to the tragic Livermore case, including three counts of causing injury while drunk driving by a person with prior convictions.

Prosecutors said she has two previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Davis pleaded not guilty to all charges in July of 2018.

CHP officials said the night before Thanksgiving 2017, the blue Kia Sorento Davis was driving left the road, overturned several times and came to rest on the first set of railroad tracks. Five people were in the SUV at the time of the wreck.

Violet Campbell, 16, who attended Village High School in Pleasanton, was killed immediately after she was partially ejected. Garcia was fully ejected and died a week later with her family by her side. A funeral for Campbell was held on Dec. 3, 2017 and a celebration of life was held for Garcia on January 6, 2018.