Family shattered after tragedy claims lives of mother and infant

Phoenix, Arizona: A family in the Valley is mourning the loss of 25-year-old Kristina Lara and two-month-old Jasiah Lara, in a car accident. The crash occurred at the intersection of 19th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.

According to Phoenix police, Kristina, her boyfriend, and her four children were traveling north on 19th Avenue when a pickup truck heading south attempted to make a left turn onto Lower Buckeye Road, resulting in a collision. 

Video from the scene showed heavy damage to a silver sedan and damage to a pickup truck that appeared to have spun out. Investigators say the sedan was being driven by a 23-year-old man headed south on 19th Avenue, who witnesses say was weaving in and out of traffic and accelerated on a yellow light when it crashed into a black pickup truck.

According to an Arizona's Family report, the driver of the truck was headed northbound when he tried to make a left turn onto Lower Buckeye when the sedan collided with his car. That driver of the truck, identified only as a 75-year-old man, wasn’t hurt. Police say impairment is not currently a factor in the crash.

Kristina and Jasiah, who were in the sedan, were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where they later died, police said.

"No words can express how we feel," Kristina’s stepmother, Antoinette Henry, told Arizona's Family. "We go from crying to feeling angry and asking ‘what ifs’ and ‘whys'.” She stated that the crash happened moments after they last spoke with Kristina; they had just planned to meet at her home following a dental appointment.

"We were bringing Jasiah a swing because she texted her mom and said that Josiah needed a swing," Henry told 12 News. "We went to go purchase it, and we were bringing it out to her, and we were supposed to meet afterward."

Kristina’s other three children were also in the car in child safety seats, which authorities note could have potentially prevented further injury.

Reflecting on Kristina’s life, her family told Arizona's Family she was a selfless young woman with a “heart of gold". Known for her compassion, even as a high school student, Kristina would ask to forego Christmas gifts so she could help the homeless, a tradition her family supported.

To assist with funeral expenses, the family has set up a GoFundMe page.