GILROY—A Christopher High School sophomore was killed in a Gilroy car wreck on Saturday when the vehicle she was in with two schoolmates veered off Miller Avenue and smashed into a tree.
The victim was identified Monday as Natalia Salcido, 15, a spokesperson for the Santa Clara County Coroner and school officials confirmed.
The high school cheerleader was alive but trapped in the front passenger seat when Gilroy police arrived at the scene at 9:58 p.m. May 9 on the 6300 Block of Miller Ave. She was extracted and taken to a hospital where she died of her injuries, police said.
The driver of the car and a passenger in the rear seat escaped with minor injuries, Gilroy Police Department Sgt. Royce Heath said. Both attend CHS, school officials confirmed.
The GPD’s Major Accident Investigations Team will conduct a mechanical inspection of the vehicle and interview the survivors, he said.
“It does not look like drugs or alcohol were involved,” he told the Dispatch. “There is a possibility speed may have been a contributing factor but we don’t have any confirmation of that right now.”
Grief and peer support counselors are on the CHS campus today to assist students, principal Paul Winslow said.
Salcido’s schoolmates on the CHS Cheer and Dance team will lead a candlelight vigil in her honor at 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 11, according to the group’s Facebook and Twitter posts.
Police ask anyone with information to call the GPD at (408) 846-0350 and ask for Officer Felix Figueroa. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the tip line at (855) 847-7247.
An online fundraiser has garnered more than $33,000 as of Tuesday evening to help the family of Natalia Salcido with unexpected funeral costs. Salcido’s father, Chris, is a captain with the San Jose Fire Department and his colleagues put together the fundraiser to help them in their time of need. To help, click here.
