MURRIETA, CA — A community fundraiser has launched for the family of a Murrieta woman who died after being struck by a vehicle early Thursday morning during her morning run.
“Rosie Diaz was an incredible person: mom, partner, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, colleague, friend, and more,” a GoFundMe page created by Dominique Samario and Joshua Hernandez reads. “On the morning of January 4, 2024, her life was tragically cut short while doing one of her favorite activities: running. While nothing we do can bring back our amazing friend, we can rally together to support her beautiful family.”
Diaz was struck just before 6 a.m. Thursday on Nutmeg Street at Washington Avenue in Murrieta. She was running with two friends, both from Murrieta. The women were outfitted with lights and reflective apparel. No other injuries were reported.
Diaz was transported by ground ambulance to Wildomar’s Inland Valley Hospital but succumbed to her injuries later in the evening, according to Murrieta police Lt. Jeremy Durrant.
The driver involved in the incident was questioned at the scene and no arrest was announced as of late Friday afternoon, though the crash remains under investigation, Durrant said.
Diaz is survived “by her three children, Josh, Nathan, and Lexi, her partner, Omar, her mother, siblings, and her incredible family, to whom she was very close,” according to the GoFundMe post.
Donations via the post will help cover the family’s future bills that are expected in the coming days and weeks.
“The expenses that go into her funeral and the ongoing care of her high school children will quickly add up. Any support is appreciated by the family, as they have been sincerely touched by the outpouring of love for Rosie,” the GoFundMe post reads.
In addition to donations, the post asks the community to “share a memory of Rosie in the comments if you can. We will make sure everything gets to the family.”
The comments reveal Diaz had a positive impact on many people, including some local runners. Her “kindness, smile and infectious laugh” were treasures many will miss, according to several comments.
As of Saturday evening, $31,305 had been raised via the fundraiser. Click here to make a donation.
Anyone with information or surveillance footage related to the crash is asked to contact Murrieta Police Traffic Investigator Ryan Marin at 951-200-9756 or [email protected], or Traffic Bureau Sgt. Steve Whiddon at 951-461-6323 or [email protected].
Toni McAllister patch.com
SOURCE
2024-01-07 02:00:17 , Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Patch
