Point Reyes Light - November 13, 2003
Pt. Reyes Station car crash kills two sisters
By Ivan Gale
Two West Marin School fourth graders died as a result of a car crash Friday morning on the Point Reyes-Petaluma Road.
Dead at the scene was Gabriella Telles, 10, of Chileno Valley. Authorities said she was killed instantly when the Ford Taurus driven by her grandmother, a cook at Taqueria La Quinta, crossed the road and slammed into a utility pole.
Gabriela’s sister Marisol Telles, 9, died Monday at Children’s Hospital in Oakland.
Two other siblings in the car, Angela Telles, 4, and Juan Telles, 7, were treated at Marin General and released on Saturday.
The grandmother, Guadalupe García, 49, is in fair condition at Marin General Hospital. Her face was slashed in the crash, and family members say she has twice undergone facial surgery.
García also suffered from a broken pelvic bone, said Araceli Rodriguez, García’s niece and the manager of Taqueria la Quinta.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Highway Patrol. García later told family members the car went out of control when she swerved to avoid a deer. Highway Patrol spokesman Julio Bandoni said that immediately after the crash, García did not mention any deer. However, one rescuer described the victim’s injuries as so severe she could not say anything meaningful.
García was driving to Point Reyes Station, as she does every weekday to drop off her grandchildren at West Marin and Inverness schools before beginning work at the Taqueria in Point Reyes Station. Normally, two of the girls’ brothers would have also been in the car, but sixth grader Víctor was waiting to be taken on a school field trip while eighth grader Luis was taking part in an orientation program at Tomales High.
Deputies learned of the crash at 8:30 a.m. Friday, and emergency crews were dispatched from the Point Reyes Station, Woodacre, and Hicks Valley fire departments. Before they arrived, however, Dr. Michael Witte of the Point Reyes Medical Clinic, a nurse, and others passersby had stopped to help.
Some set out cones and flares while Witte tried to pry off the rear windshield, protecting his hands with a jacket.
It took crews more than an hour to extricate the passengers from the crumpled car with the aid of heavy metal cutters known as the "Jaws of Life."
The tragedy has particularly affected the Latino community, where many knew García and her family, also West Marin School’s students and staff where many students are related to Gabriela (known as "Gabby") and Marisol.
Many admired the woman’s altruism regarding not only her grandchildren but also the people around her.
"I see her as a Mother Theresa," said Ismael Gutierrez of Inverness Park. "She was always there to help everybody."
The Inverness Park landscaper has bought groceries for the family and has set out collection boxes with photos of Marisol and Gabriella at shops in Point Reyes Station and Inverness Park, Petaluma and Rohnert Park.
Rosalyn Miller of the West Marin Health and Human Services is asking for help from the community in any form.
"There is a tremendous need to move the family into the Point Reyes area," said Miller, noting the long commute from Chileno Valley to Point Reyes Station.
"We’re looking for any ideas or leads for places in the area to relocate them," she said.
At West Marin School, fourth grade teacher Fred Gilardi’s class is back in session, but Gabriella and Marisol’s desks sit unoccupied, a sad memorial to the two girls.
The two girls’ classmates have placed cards and drawings on their desks with notes reading, "Thank you Gabby so much," and, "Marisol we love you because you are our friend."
In class, "we talked about death and dying, and all the good things we should remember," Gilardi said.
The class is creating a memorial garden to the two girls, fashioning flowers, insects and animals out of wood. The memorial garden will be called "Gabby’s Garden and Marisol’s Marigolds." Included in the memorial will be butterflies – a favorite of Gabriela, and cats – Marisol’s favorite animal, said teacher Gilardi.
A fund has been set up at the Bank of Petaluma to support the family’s medical and living expenses. Donations can be sent to the Garcia-Telles fund at the Bank of Petaluma, 11400 Highway 1, Point Reyes Station, 94956.
In addition, a community fundraiser with live music will be held for the family from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, in the West Marin School Gym.