3 sisters, their mom killed in crash while returning to Southern California

Editor’s Note: this article has been updated to identify all of the victims.

Three young sisters and their mother, who lived in Menifee, were tragically killed in a multi-car crash while returning home to Southern California after a road trip to Texas, leaving their family and community devastated by the loss.  

The deadly collision, which also claimed the life of their mother’s friend and her 13-year-old son, occurred July 12 on Interstate 10 just outside Quartzsite, Arizona.  

Investigators with Arizona’s Department of Public Safety said that as traffic was slowing down on the highway because of a repaving project, utility truck carrying a load of asphalt slammed into the rear of the family’s car causing a five-vehicle crash that left all six passengers in the car dead.  

The Perez girls’ aunt, Kasandra Tunchez remembers the joy the sisters brought to the entire family, especially her brother Vincente Perez, the girls’ father.  

“My brother is hanging in there,” she told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “We as a family have come together to support him.”  

Tunchez described the sisters, 12-year-old Olivia, 11-year-old Emalynn and 8-year-old Giana, as incredibly smart and respectful.  

She said as Olivia approached her teenage years, she was sassy and something of a diva, while Emalynn loved learning and that the youngest, Giana, was a firecracker that called things as she saw them.  

All three of the sisters were passionate about softball too. The two older girls were pitchers, and their sister was just about to start playing like they did.  

Loved ones tell KTLA that softball is one of the memories that most who knew the girls will remember forever, including their uncle Chad.  

“I remember being at several games and Olivia was like their cheerleader, getting them pumped up for the game and in between innings,” he shared.  

On social media, the Menifee Girls Softball League posted a tribute to the Perez, saying in part:  

“Shy in nature, all three girls came to life on the softball field as they were surrounded by family, friends and teammates on both sides of the fence. They will be deeply missed by everyone.”  

Condolences have also been pouring in for the sisters’ mother, Karly, her longtime friend Heather Ventura and her son Lucas Tejada.

“My sister, nephew, Karly and the girls were a family unit that did everything together,” Nick Ventura, whose sister Heather was killed in the crash told KTLA. “Knowing that these children’s lives were cut short has left me heartbroken. I loved them all so much.”

For the Perez girls’ aunt, she said she will hold on to all those memories.  

“Those were the stars in our world,” she explained. “Now they’re gone and all we have is memories.” 

A vigil is being held on Wednesday in Centennial Park in Menifee.