Much of the softball world on the West Coast—particularly in the Fresno and Hanford, California areas–is reeling from the car accident death over the weekend of Hanford West High School freshman Marissa Cardona who also played second baseman/outfielder on the Central California Dirtdogs 14U team coached by Marco Vazquez.
Marissa was fatally injured and her mother hospitalized in critical condition when their car was struck early Saturday morning in an intersection by a car that failed to honor a stop sign.
On Sunday, the 18U Dirtdogs team posted the following on Facebook:
… as well as this tribute on Twitter:
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, teammates, and coaches of Marissa Cardona.🙏🧡 pic.twitter.com/gJcgOixN1W
— dirtdogs18gold (@dirtdogsgold) March 7, 2022
The Dirtdogs club organization and the high school are setting up fundraisers to assist the family to help offset funeral and medical costs… the following online locations are accepting donations:
- Venmo: @Dirtdogs-Vazquez
- Zelle: coachvaz@yahoo.com
- Cash app– $Dirtdogs Vazquez
Additionally, the local community has organized a fundraiser Thursday night to help raise money for the Cardona family:
Additionally, at the end of March, the Dirtdogs will team with the Sorcerer organization to play in a “Softball Mush-Ball Friendly” to help raise funds for the Cardona family.
With the games will come a silent auction and full snack bar.
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On Saturday, ABC30.com, the news website for the Central California ABC affiliate (KFSN-TV) ran the following video recap of the accident:
The site also posted two stories on Saturday as information became available… here are the texts of the two with the most recent first:
14-year-old girl killed, 3 others injured in rollover crash in Fresno County
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — The young girl killed in a rollover crash in Fresno County has been identified as Marissa Cardona.
Cardona was killed in a two-car crash at the intersection of Mt. Whitney Avenue and Cedar Avenue at about 7 am on Saturday.
The 14-year-old was heavily involved in softball, playing on the Central California Dirt Dogs team.
In a statement, her team coach Marco Vazquez told Action News:
“Marissa was the most humble, loving, player, teammate and friend you could have, whether she knew you or you were a stranger. Everyone we have spoken to, she has left a lasting memory of herself. She will be truly missed by her teammates, her friends, her twin brother, and especially her dad Rocky Cardona who never missed anything and was always by her side.”
The team has been working to raise money for the family and is accepting donations through Cash App and Venmo.
They are also planning a taco sale fundraiser, this Thursday from 5 pm until 8 pm at 700 N 11th Avenue, Hanford.
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Earlier, the website posted the following details on the crash:
California Highway Patrol officers say the collision was between two vehicles, a Lexus and a Honda Accord.
The 14-year-old girl was a passenger in the Accord and her mother was driving westbound on Mt. Whitney Avenue approaching the intersection of Cedar Avenue.
The 15-year-old girl was a passenger in the Lexus as her mother was driving northbound on Cedar Avenue approaching the same intersection.
CHP officers say the driver of the Lexus failed to stop for the posted stop sign at the entrance to the intersection and proceeded through, directly in front of the approaching Honda, leading to the crash.
Both vehicles went off the road through a chain-link fence and into a dirt lot on the northwest corner of the intersection.
The Honda came to rest on its wheels; the Lexus overturned multiple times and came to rest on its wheels.
The 14-year-old in the Honda was killed in the crash.
The 15-year-old passenger of the Lexus was flown by helicopter to CRMC with life-threatening injuries.
The two adults were transported to CRMC by ambulance, each with major injures.
The CHP does not believe alcohol or drugs were factors, and all occupants were wearing their seatbelts.
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On Monday, ABC30.com ran the following update on the accident…
Extra support at Kings County high schools after crash left one teen dead, another injured
A crash Saturday morning took the life of a freshman from Hanford West and left a sophomore from Sierra Pacific badly injured.
Balloons, flowers and stuffed animals covered a table in the center of campus at Hanford West High School.
It’s where 14-year-old Marissa Cardona always sat for lunch.
Monday, classmates and teammates from her softball team gathered around to remember her.
RELATED: 14-year-old girl killed, 3 others injured in rollover crash in Fresno County
“We’re allowing them to sit there, just take a moment and console each other and we’re consoling them as well,” said Hanford West Principal Katy Culver.
Those who knew her say Marissa was funny and intelligent, but was known for her softball skills.
She wore number two and played second base for the Dirt Dogs travel softball organization, as well as for her Hanford West High School team.
“She was going to be a star. She really was. She was going to burn bright. She was going to do amazing things,” said Culver.
On Saturday morning, Marissa’s mom, Leticia Cardona, was driving her to Clovis for a softball tournament with her Hanford West team.
At the same time, 35-year old Ashley Engen was taking her 15-year-old daughter, a sophomore at Sierra Pacific High School, to a swim meet in Clovis.
Marissa Cardona did not survive the crash.
Engen, her 15-year old daughter and Leticia Cardona were all rushed to the hospital with major injuries.
The Hanford Joint Union High School District had extra support for students and staff on both high school campuses Monday.
“We are a relatively smaller community and so it does impact everyone. Any time students are involved, it just makes it extremely hard and difficult,” said Sierra Pacific High School Principal Darin Parson.
A memorial at the crash site is growing for Marissa with messages to her saying “I love you”, “I miss you”, “Fly high.”
“That way they can attend and that can be part of their grieving process as well and remembering her and all the amazing things she did both on the field and off the field,” said Culver.
The softball team Marissa played for is raising money to help support her family during this time.
They are accepting donations through the following Cash App and Venmo names.
CashApp: $DirtDogsVazquez
Venmo: @Rocky-Cardona
Venmo: @Dirtdogs-Vazquez
There will also be a taco sale and Raffle on Thursday March 10 from 5-8 p.m. at Tilted Athletic Facility located at 700 N 11th Avenue in Hanford. Taco plates with beans and rice will be sold for $15 a plate. All proceeds will benefit the Cardona family.
