Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Fund Established for Girls Killed in Crash

A memorial fund for three girls killed in an automobile accident last week has been established to help pay for their funerals, which are set for this week.

JoKema Du Bois and Gena Watkinson, both 15, and 3 1/2-year-old Jesica Noell were killed when the car Du Bois was driving crossed the center line of Seco Canyon Road and slammed into two vehicles driving in the opposite direction. Two other girls in the car, Alicia Acevedo and Du Bois’ sister, Barbara, both 14, were seriously injured.

The girls were coming home from a church youth group last Wednesday when the accident occurred. JoKema Du Bois was too young to legally drive. Family members said she had taken her grandmother’s car without permission.

Barbara Du Bois was listed in critical condition Monday at Northridge Hospital Medical Center with numerous broken bones and a punctured lung, said Deborah Moore, a hospital spokeswoman. Acevedo is listed in serious condition with a broken leg and head injury.

Occupants of the other vehicles were not seriously injured.

The memorial fund was established by the Santa Clarita Elks Lodge because the families do not have the resources to pay for the funerals, said Judy Saunders, a friend of Mary McWilliams, the Du Bois’ grandmother and guardian.

“The funerals are going to be before the memorial fund is (paid), but this will help the families reimburse the expenses,” Saunders said.

The fund will be divided between the families according to need, she added.

JoKema Du Bois’ funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, 23287 Sierra Highway. Also scheduled at the memorial park are a graveside service for Watkinson at 11 a.m. Wednesday and a private service for Noell’s family Thursday morning.

Donations may be made to the Memorial and Medical Fund, c/o the Santa Clarita Elks Lodge, P.O. Box 1326, Canyon Country, Calif., 91351.