By Mark Gomez, San Jose Mercury News, Calif.
Jan. 11–A candlelight vigil will be held tonight for the San Jose teenage girl who was killed in a car crash earlier this week.
Family and friends of Jessica Stephens, 16, will gather at 7 p.m. at the intersection of San Tomas Expressway and Hamilton Avenue, the site of the fatal accident. Jessica was killed early Wednesday morning when the Honda CRX she was riding in drove through a red light, while traveling 30 mph above the posted speed limit, and collided with a minivan, according to the California Highway Patrol. Jessica was riding illegally in the back of the two-seat vehicle.
The driver of the Honda, 19-year-old Eduardo Perez, suffered major injuries and remains in critical condition at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, according to hospital spokeswoman Joy Alexiou. Todd Thibodeau, a spokesman for the CHP, said Perez will be arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
On Thursday, hours after the death of the Prospect student, friends set up a large memorial at the northeast corner of the expressway and Hamilton Avenue. By evening, flowers, stuffed animals, balloons and photos sparkled in the light of numerous candles while students and parents quietly huddled at the scene before somberly walking away.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Hope Church, located at 1975 Pollard Road in Los Gatos.
Staff writer Gary Richards contributed to this report. Contact Mark Gomez at [email protected] or (408) 920-5869.
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