UPDATE: In a tragic incident on November 24, 2023, two young women, Cynthia Garcia Morales, 24, and Jaslin Avila, 21, lost their lives in a devastating car crash shortly after Black Friday shopping near Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, Arizona.
Family members confirm the two were cousins, raised as sisters and inseparable throughout their lives. “They were kids. They were not women. They were our babies,” said Yuri Morales, Avila’s mother and Garcia Morales’ aunt. The emotional toll of this loss is immense, as the family grapples with the sudden absence of these vibrant young women.
According to Glendale police, the crash occurred when Avila’s white GMC stopped at a yellow light on Bell Road. Moments later, a silver Hyundai sped off the nearby Loop 101 ramp, colliding with their vehicle. Dash camera footage shows the seconds leading up to the impact, highlighting how quickly tragedy struck.
“Jaslin was driving, and she was such a safe driver,” noted Naomi Morales, their aunt. “If she would have kept going on a yellow light instead of stopping, the car would have never hit them.” Tragically, three younger siblings and cousins were in the backseat during the accident, suffering varying degrees of injuries.
As the investigation remains active, authorities have not disclosed any details about the driver of the Hyundai. Family members are seeking answers, with Stephen Garza, their uncle, stating, “We just want to find out what happened with the situation because we haven’t gotten any answers.”
The emotional impact of this accident is profound. “I was in Cynthia’s room today and it’s purple. It’s a little girl’s room. They were kids. They didn’t deserve this,” Yuri Morales expressed, underlining the deep loss felt by the family.
Avila was just two weeks away from graduating with a degree in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University. “Jaslin was a really bright girl. She was always very happy, very spontaneous,” Garza recalled. Meanwhile, Garcia Morales had aspirations of becoming a teacher, actively working with kindergarten students in Buckeye. “She had a future, she had a career, and she had a heart of gold,” Yuri Morales added.
In light of this tragedy, two fundraisers have been established to assist the family with funeral expenses and medical bills. The community’s support is critical as they navigate this heartbreaking event.
As family, friends, and the community mourn, they find solace in the bond that will endure. “At least they’ll be together and won’t be alone,” Garza said. “That’s the only peace of mind that our family has is that they’re going to be together watching over us.”
This developing story highlights the urgent need for answers and support as investigators continue to look into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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