‘Hearts are shattered’: Baby delivered after fatal Rosemont crash dies, family says
A pregnant Sacramento woman who was killed earlier this month when she was struck by a vehicle was less than two weeks from her due date, and her daughter born by emergency C-section has tragically died as well, family said.
Maricela Aguilar, 46, was one of two pedestrians killed in a late-night collision Dec. 13 on South Watt Avenue in Rosemont. A man and woman had reportedly gotten out of their vehicle and were in an apparent argument when a Volkswagen heading south on South Watt Avenue struck both of them, according to the Sacramento Police Department.
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Aguilar and Marquist Allen, 38, also of Sacramento.
Maricela Aguilar’s sister, Coral Aguilar, in Facebook posts and in a GoFundMe page set up Dec. 15, wrote that “Maricela who was due on Christmas Eve had died on impact. She and her unborn daughter were transported to a local hospital where Ariyal Athena was delivered by C-Section” and was showing “no brain activity,” Coral Aguilar wrote.
In an update to GoFundMe, Coral Aguilar said the baby died Dec. 19.
“It brings me great sadness to announce that just a few short hours ago, baby Athena left us to be with her Mother and Father. Our hearts are shattered, but we know that she too is now at peace and no longer suffering...”
Coral said Maricela left behind three other children.
Sacramento police said the driver of the Volkswagen stayed at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Coral Aguilar wrote that she was informed the driver “immediately” got out of his vehicle to assist the pedestrians who were struck.
“The gentleman relentlessly performed CPR until paramedics arrived,” she wrote.
As of Monday morning, the online fundraiser had raised more than $9,300 from dozens of donors, with Coral Aguilar writing that all donations would go toward medical expenses and burial costs.
