Amy Monserrat Killed in Vista Crash on SR 78
Vista, California (June 21, 2023) – Amy Monserrat, 16, was one of two siblings who died in a tragic accident Sunday night in Vista, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash took place on State Route 78, just east of the Mar Vista Drive exit at about 6:12 p.m. June 18.
According to the CHP, Sandra Ortiz, 33, was driving a GMC SUV east on SR 78 when she stopped and moved to the shoulder.
Two of her children, Monserrat and Alan Gerardo, 10, got out of the vehicle and ran into the roadway to pick up luggage that fell into the roadway.
The two were sadly struck by a passing Nissan sedan and were both pronounced deceased at the scene.
Four other children were in the GMC and were not injured.
The operator of the Nissan, identified as a 41-year-old Vista woman, stayed at the scene after the crash.
Ortiz was taken into custody on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and child endangerment.
The cause of the wreck is under investigation.
