Family of Victim Killed on Christmas Eve Speaks Out

“I’ve never seen her do a hurtful thing to anybody,” said Larry Reuck of his grand daughter, 22-year-old, Crystal Reuk.

Crystal, along with three of her friends paid a visit to Larry on Christmas Eve.

She was there to drop off his Christmas gift.

“She was pretty upbeat, she had to work Christmas day, so that had her just a little bit down,” said Larry. “She was looking forward to the time and a half.”

This would be the last time Larry was to see his grand daughter.

After the foursome left Larry’s home, the van Crystal was driving collided with a semi truck on Highway 101 near Wellsona Rd.

According to a report from the California Highway Patrol, the semi truck was in the northbound lane and attempted to make a left hand turn onto Wellsona when Crystal’s van collided with it killing Crystal and her three passengers: 22-year-old, Taylor Swarthout, 45-year-old, Karen Szasz, and 42-year-old, David Castillo all from San Miguel.

Crystal’s grandfather said he’s feared this intersection for many years.

“If you’re going North you gotta make a left turn and almost come to a complete stop and then you almost gotta kinda lumber across those two lanes,” said Larry.

Crystal’s sudden death is a crushing blow to her family.

She was an only child and a young woman whom Larry said was finally getting her life together.