LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A Las Vegas Valley family is grieving the death of a young mother who survived one crash, just to become the victim of another.
According to Nevada State Police, the crash happened near the I-15 and Lake Mead Boulevard Thanksgiving morning.
Police say 28-year-old Karina Isabel Gonzalez was the passenger of a truck, when the driver lost control and ran into a concrete median. They say when Gonzalez got out of the truck, she was hit by an SUV that drove off.
Gonzalez’s family says not only was she an amazing mother, she was an aspiring firefighter. She was two days away from a test to become a nationally certified EMT.
She was also a part of CCFD’s Beyond Explorer Program.
Gonzalez was hit Thanksgiving morning, but she fought for her life in the hospital for nearly one month. Her family says they eventually decided to move her to comfort care.
“At the end, we were just like ‘Karina, we just don’t want you to suffer anymore, please, we don’t want you to go through this anymore’,” said her cousin, Yesenia Coronado.
While Gonzalez’s family prepares for her memorial at the end of the month, they’re also focused on finding the SUV driver.
“She was only 28-years-old with a dream, why didn’t you stop, or at least have the thought. Did you even have the thought?” said another cousin, Adelin Jauregui.
Investigators believe the SUV is a 2021, 2022, or 2023 GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban Tahoe with a damaged or recently replaced driver’s side mirror.
Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers of Nevada by visiting crimestoppersnv.com or calling 702-385-5555. To speak directly with a detective, please contact the Nevada Highway Patrol’s Traffic Homicide Unit at 702-668-5278.
CCFD’s Beyond Explorer Program is holding a stair climb in Gonzalez’s memory on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 12 p.m. at Majestic Park.
Gonzalez’s family’s set up a GoFundMe. Those interested in viewing it can find it here.
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