Two Hmong women were killed in Fresno, Calif., on Wednesday evening after an SUV crashed into their home during a high-speed police car chase, ABC reports.
Eliza Yang, 18, had been asleep while Mang Yang, 25, was preparing to go to work when known gang member Adam Canales, 18, crashed into their bedroom while fleeing from the police. According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the police first responded to reports of a gang disturbance just blocks away from the Yang family home. Canales fled the scene upon law enforcement arrival, driving for only 27 seconds before the crash, YourCentralValley reports.
“This tragedy was a result of the actions and the choices that Adam Canales made,” Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said to YourCentralValley.
Family, friends, and neighbors hosted a vigil in remembrance of the two sisters on Friday. Loved ones gathered outside the wrecked bedroom, lighting candles and singing songs as they mourned.
“He wants to say thank you to everyone who showed up and lit up a candle and give us a blessing for the Yang family that lost two souls,” a translator said on behalf of the victims’ uncle, Ronald Yang.
According to ABC, Eliza Yang had just graduated from high school, while Mang Yang had been working to support her family of nine while enrolled in nursing school. The whole family had been in the house at the time of the car crash, including the six children.
“They are very good kids. Nice daughters, one of them is working, and the other one had an interview a couple of days ago,” Ronald Yang told ABC.
Canales is currently in custody facing felony charges for evading a police officer, vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of the crime, driving under the influence and driving without insurance, according to YourCentralValley. Police are currently trying to connect an abandoned firearm along the route of pursuit to Canales, to add unauthorized possession of firearms to his charges, according to ABC.
“The fact that, you know, he crashed into this house and then he runs from the scene to try to get away really, I think, speaks to Mr. Canales and what kind of person he is,” Zanoni said to YourCentralValley.
Since the crash, the community has gathered to support the Yang family. A GoFundMe set up by the family has raised almost $60,000, and neighbors have connected the family to the Red Cross as well as offered their own homes while the Yang family home remains uninhabitable due to damages.
“This thing made everybody brokenhearted. And we’re going to miss our nieces forever. Never forgetting this thing happened,” Ronald Yang told YourCentralValley.
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