Fund Established to Aid Victim’s Family

A fund has been established to help the family of 9-year-old Crystal Lopez who was killed last week in a single-vehicle accident that also seriously injured her father and two sisters.

The family is bearing a tremendous financial burden, according to Trudy Arriaga, principal of Sheridan Way Elementary School in Ventura, where Crystal was enrolled.

“The amount of expenses the family is incurring is very serious without any income coming in,” said Arriaga, who established the trust fund. “I hope the community can just give what they can.”

Isaias Lopez was driving the family’s Ford van south on California 33 at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday when he lost control, causing the vehicle to flip several times just south of Stanley Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Crystal was thrown from the van and died at the scene shortly afterward, authorities said.

Her 6-year-old sister, Noemi, was reported in fair condition Friday at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, a nursing supervisor said.

Another sister, 7-year-old Ruth, was recently released from another hospital, nursing supervisors said. Isaias Lopez, 46, was also recently released from the hospital but is still recuperating from head and arm injuries.

Crystal’s mother, Estella Lopez, 42, was the only person in the van who escaped serious injury.

Donations can be sent in care of Arriaga to Sheridan Way Elementary School, 573 Sheridan Way, Ventura, 93001.