Vigil In Rancho Santa Margarita Held For Woman Killed By Car

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Members of the Rancho Santa Margarita community came together Sunday night to honor the life and passing of a mother of three who was killed earlier this month while crossing an intersection.

Elena Romero Alvarado, 36, was on her way home from her job at a nearby McDonald's when she crossed the intersection of Rancho Santa Margarita Parkway and El Paseo and was hit by a car, the Orange County Sheriff's Department reported. She was a Rancho Santa Margarita resident and leaves behind three children, according to a Facebook flyer distributed by her cousin, Erica Romero.

Read More: OC Coroner IDs Woman Killed By Car In Rancho Santa Margarita

The vigil was held in the parking lot of the McDonald's, where Romero Alvarado used to work. Several dozens of community members showed up to pay their respects while holding white balloons and candles. A priest spoke at the vigil to commemorate Romero Alvarado's life, and at the end of the ceremony, the white balloons held by community members were released into the sky.

Romero wrote on the Facebook flyer that her cousin was a daughter, a mother, a sister and a niece. Romero Alvarado's friend, Sarahi Rivera Ojeda wrote on a GoFundMe page: "I can't explain how much this hurts and imagining what could of gone through her head at that moment. She [is an] amazing woman and will be missed so dearly... Her smile, her wise words, her laughter, her hard work for her kids."

Read more: McDonald's Worker Dies Crossing Santa Margarita Street Sunday

Romero Alvarado's family is accepting donations through Venmo, as well as a GoFundMe page started by Rivera Ojeda. As of this report, over $18,000 has been raised to cover funeral expenses for Romero Alvarado and to provide aid for her three children.

"Nos vemos pronto, Elena," A friend of Romero Alvarado's posted on Facebook, along with a photo of dozens of balloons being released into the night sky. The phrase translates to: "See you soon, Elena.

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