A head-on collision on Abbott Street near Salinas, California, on Sunday night claimed the lives of three young individuals: 19-year-old Abigail Tinoco, and 18-year-olds Sebastian Burgos and Noah Trevino.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:04 p.m. between US-101 and Harris Road, prompting a closure of the roadway, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Tinoco, a UCLA student with aspirations of becoming a lawyer, was a graduate of Downey High School where she served as salutatorian. She was also a track and cross country athlete, a youth president at her church, and was completing a CNA program. Her sister described her in a GoFundMe as a determined individual who worked tirelessly to achieve her goals.
Burgos, also from Downey, was an 18-year-old biology major who had recently begun his first quarter at UC Santa Cruz with plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. His brother, Jose, and parents survive him.
Trevino, 18, of Soledad, was also a victim. His brother, Nathan, was injured in the same crash.
Fundraisers have been established for each of the victims. The GoFundMe for Tinoco aims to honor her life and legacy. Burgos's fundraiser seeks to ease the financial burden on his family, and a separate fund was created for Trevino to assist with emergency expenses.
Each of these fundraisers has surpassed $10,000. The cause of the collision remains under investigation. The accident involved a black Nissan Altima and a white Honda CR-V. Authorities reported that at least three people were in each vehicle, and three survivors were transported to a local hospital. Six ambulances and multiple CHP vehicles responded to the scene, with survivors taken to Natividad Medical Center.