Mother Injured, Two Young Brothers Survive as Family Remembers Angelina as Their 'Sunshine'

 San Carlos is grieving 14-year-old Angelina Santillan Coronel after a Sunday morning crash on Navajo Road took her life and left her family and a pedestrian injured. The San Diego Police Department says Angelina, a passenger, died at the scene when the family's Mazda veered off the roadway near Golfcrest Drive. The loss has rippled through schools and neighborhoods that knew her as a caring teenager.

The collision happened Sunday morning in the 7500 block of Navajo Road, a busy corridor near Lake Murray. Investigators say the westbound sedan left the travel lanes, crossed onto the north sidewalk, struck an 18-year-old pedestrian, and then hit a tree in the center median. The sequence unfolded in seconds, prompting a response from police, fire, and paramedics who closed the road for hours.

The driver, a 35-year-old woman described in family posts as Angelina's mother, suffered a fractured ankle and was taken to a hospital. Two younger brothers, ages 1 and 8, were in the car and were evaluated by medics; officials said they were not seriously hurt. The pedestrian was transported with a concussion and an arm injury and is expected to recover, police said.

San Diego's traffic unit is leading the investigation, documenting tire marks, vehicle damage, and the position of the tree and sidewalk. Early reports indicate no alcohol was involved, though investigators are reviewing all factors, including speed, distraction, and medical issues. The Mazda, a 2017 sedan, has been impounded for mechanical inspection as part of standard protocol.

Family members have turned to social media to remember Angelina as their 'sunshine,' sharing photos from school events and family gatherings. A fundraiser organized by relatives seeks help with funeral costs and support for her mother and siblings as they heal. The outpouring of comments reflects a tight-knit community offering prayers, meals, and rides in the difficult days ahead.

Navajo Road carries traffic through San Carlos, with wide lanes, frequent driveways, and pedestrian crossings near parks and schools. Safety advocates note that even brief lane departures can be catastrophic on roads with sidewalks adjacent to traffic. The city has added flashing beacons and crosswalks in some areas, but residents continue to push for slower speeds and better separation between cars and walkers.

For families, the crash is a stark reminder of the importance of restraints for passenger, especially children and teens in the back seat. California law requires seat belts for all occupants, and experts recommend parents check belts fit across the chest and hips. While investigators have not detailed restraint use in this case, the outcome underscores how quickly a routine drive can change.

As police continue their work, counselors at local schools are available for students, and community leaders are encouraging neighbors to support the family with compassion and patience. Anyone who witnessed the crash on Navajo Road near Golfcrest Drive Sunday morning is asked to contact San Diego police. In honoring Angelina's memory, San Carlos is holding close the values she represented: kindness, light, and care for others.