Harrowing final moments of crash victim after she and five friends smashed into pole at high speed

A California community is reeling after a catastrophic crash claimed the lives of five young people and left a sixth victim fighting for survival before ultimately succumbing to her injuries.Family members revealed that the girl they affectionately called Ava was taken to a hospital following the crash, where she fought for her life in the days that followed.“Despite the efforts of her medical team and the prayers of those who loved her, she sadly passed away, leaving behind a family and community whose lives will never be the same,” relatives said.The tragedy has shaken Santa Maria, where a growing memorial now marks the crash site.Flowers, candles, photographs, balloons, stuffed animals and even liquor bottles have been left at the intersection as residents gather to grieve and remember the victims.The deadly collision unfolded early Sunday in Santa Maria when a vehicle traveling at high speed slammed into a traffic pole at the intersection of South Broadway and Miller Street.Authorities said the exact cause remains under investigation, though evidence recovered at the scene points to possible DUI involvement.The victims were identified by the Santa Maria Police Department as Nicolas Munoz-Gautreaux, 17; Jennifer Gutierrez, 19; Guendi Beatrice Gamez Escalante, 16; ‘Ava’ Yusbeli Diaz Galvez, 17; and Isabella Star Vigil, 16.Police initially said Aurelio Calixtro Matias, 24, was the lone survivor and remained hospitalized in critical condition.Dozens attended a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening at the memorial.The gathering was later dispersed by law enforcement after some attendees set off fireworks.For many, the loss feels deeply personal.Among them is Reyna Vaca, who said she had seen Munoz-Gautreaux only hours before the crash at a graduation party.“He was just really, like, really happy.We were standing in a group, talking and laughing,” Vaca told the Santa Maria Times.

“It’s just so unreal, especially being with someone like hours before they p...