Fil-Am woman killed in DUI crash in Oakland

Criscel Dela Rosa was killed in a car crash caused by a suspected drunk driver. Photo from GoFundMe

OAKLAND, Calif.–  A Filipino American woman was killed in a multi-vehicle crash allegedly caused by a suspected drunk driver on Sunday in Oakland, Calif.

Criscel Dela Rosa suffered fatal injuries after a freightliner box truck crashed into the back of her Tesla Model Y along the I-880 North Embarcadero.

“I received the worst news of my life,” Criscel’s husband, Michael Dela Rosa, said on a GoFundMe page.

Dela Rosa said he was awakened by a call about the accident. He then “tried desperately to call her and find out what happened, to see if she was okay.” There was no answer.

Dela Rosa said he rushed to the crash site and saw his wife’s mangled Tesla.

“It hurt me to see how devastating the car crash was and I can only imagine what pain she went through with that car crash,” Dela Rosa wrote on the GoFundMe page.

Criscel usually had Sundays off, but had decided to work that day, he said. The crash happened on her way to work around 5:30 a.m. near the Embarcadero exit.

The suspected drunk driver was arrested following the crash.

Dela Rosa described his wife as “a wonderful woman,” who was good hearted, church-going and a “loving wife and a great mother.”

He said family members – including their 7-year-old daughter – are heartbroken and devastated.

Dela Rosa is raising funds to help with funeral services and to bring Criscel’s siblings to the US from the Philippines to attend her funeral.

As of press time, the fundraising campaign has raised nearly $45,000, exceeding the $25,000 goal.

“This demonstrates how much she was loved,” wrote Dela Rosa. “THANK YOU ALL for all your prayers, love and support through this difficult time.”

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