HAITIAN IMMIGRANT COUSINS MOURNED AFTER DEADLY LEMON GROVE CRASH
Update January 7, 2025 A GoFundMe site has been set up to help the victims' families with funeral costs, emotional support, and legal costs to pursue justice.
East County News Service
January 6, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The victims of a fatal pedestrian crash on New Year’s Day in Lemon Grove have been identified as Nadia Charles and Junior Joseph Juste. Both 20 years old, they were cousins who immigrated here from Haiti last year in hopes of a better life in the United States, after surviving earthquakes,poverty, violence and political instability in their homeland.
The cousins were killed when two vehicles collided at the intersection of Buena Vista and Broadway shortly after 11 a.m. on January 1st. .The impact sent one of the cars into the path of the victims, who were crossing the street. Despite life-saving efforts by paramedics and deputies, both victims died at the scene.
The drivers of the vehicles and a passenger were not injured. Sheriff’s investigators say that speed was a factor in the collision.
Pastor Johny Oxeda at the First Haitian Baptist Church in City Heights said both of the young immigrants “dreamed to do more,” ECM news partner NBC 7 reports.
The cousins had planned to attend a church workshop led by San Diego Police for new immigrants on Sunday to help them adapt to the new culture in America. Instead, a Sunday church service was held to honor the memories of the two young people. A public memorial is planned for Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the intersection where they lost their lives.