By Jessica Thy Nguyen Special to the Dispatch
Gilroy – Funeral arrangements will be held this week for Sade Moralez, the 21-year-old former Gilroy High School student who was killed when she was struck by a vehicle on U.S. 101 early Friday morning.
The viewing will be held at Habing Family Funeral Home, 129 Fourth St., from 1 to 5pm, Wednesday, and from 9 to 10am Thursday. Mass will be held at 10am at St. Mary’s Church, 11 First St., Thursday, and the burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, according to Habing Family Funeral Home.
Meanwhile, Sade Moralez’s family raised more than $2,000 for funeral expenses from a car wash held in her memory last weekend.
Family members said they wanted to thank the community for supporting their efforts.
“The car wash went perfectly well,” said Evon Vallez, Moralez’s mother. “There were so many people who showed up and gave donations. We’d like to give our greatest thanks to the owner of Sno-White Drive In, who was so helpful to us. It was almost fun.”
In light of events that led to Moralez’s death, there are things that can be learned in order to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring, police said.
Moralez got out of her vehicle after she crashed into a guardrail before coming to a standstill in the fast lane of northbound U.S. 101, according to the California Highway Patrol.
In similar circumstances, a person should reassess their situation before either stepping out of or deciding to remain in the vehicle, according to officer Brad Voyles of the California Highway Patrol.
“If the vehicle can be moved without injuring someone, move your vehicle out of traffic. Make sure it’s safe to exit your vehicle if you can’t move it,” officer Voyles said. “If it’s safe to exit the vehicle and there is no oncoming traffic, do so and get to the shoulder as quickly as possible.”
Officer Voyles also said that it is the driver’s responsibility to warn oncoming traffic of the vehicle blocking traffic by either putting the hazard lights on or putting flares on the road.
“Sometimes it’s safer to be in the vehicle and get hit sitting in the vehicle than [getting hit] as a pedestrian on the road,” he said.
The accident remains under investigation. Results from toxicology tests will be available in four to six weeks.
