Family remembers Santa Barbara woman killed in Hwy 1 crash: ‘She was loved by all who knew her.’
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Family members are remembering the Santa Barbara woman killed in a head-on crash on Highway 1 near Lompoc.
Selena Araiza, 24, was killed in the crash on Valentine's Day. It happened around 6:30 p.m. on Highway 1, just south of Santa Rosa Road.
According to a GoFundMe set up by her family, she was working on becoming a nurse.
"Everyone who knew Selena knew how wonderful, smart, beautiful and caring she was. She had a beautiful heart and loved everyone so much. She was living her best life with the love of her life Joseph and was very accomplished at everything she did," said the GoFundMe post.
CHP investigators said Araiza's boyfriend, Joseph Hernandez, 27, was driving the night of the crash. Araiza was a passenger in his car.
Investigators say a 55-year-old Lompoc man driving another vehicle ended up veering off Highway 1 and then back across the highway, hitting the car Araiza and Hernandez were in. Hernandez and the other driver were hospitalized with major injuries.
As of Thursday afternoon, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital said Hernandez was listed in fair condition. The other driver was still in critical condition.
The GoFundMe for Araiza asked people to "continue to pray for Joseph's healing and recovery."
Araiza's aunt reached out to our newsroom and said Araiza was born and raised in San Diego and had recently moved to Santa Barbara, where her boyfriend grew up.
"She was loved by all who knew her. She was our family's light," said her aunt, Daniela Lara. "We are devastated that this happened and are now left having to lay her to rest after this tragedy. Selena is so missed by all."
Lara says Araiza had just celebrated her birthday last month.
As of Tuesday morning, the family's GoFundMe had raised more than $4,700 to cover funeral expenses.
No arrests have been made in the crash. The CHP says it is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the CHP Buellton office at 805-688-5551.
Previous coverage:
Santa Barbara woman identified as victim in deadly Hwy 1 crash near Lompoc
Santa Barbara woman dead, 2 men seriously injured after Lompoc crash on Friday
1 dead, 2 injured after car crash near Lompoc
