School to provide counseling after student’s death
Family and friends remembered a teenager who was struck and killed Saturday night in Desert Hot Springs.
Pamela Carrillo, 17, was a student at Desert Hot Springs High School and was hit by a car while crossing Palm Drive at Camino Aventura.
An emotional candlelight vigil was held for Carrillo Sunday evening for the high school senior remembered as a sweet, loving and caring friend. It was held at the intersection of Palm Drive and Camino Aventura where she was struck.
Xander Tyler De la Cruz described learning her friend had died saying, “and I could see her body. I saw her senior sweatshirt. And I saw the roses. And then it was her. There was no doubt that it was her.”
Another friend Erika Munoz said, “Pamela was the sweetest person ever. She would come into class and light up the whole room with her smile. She was always so positive, and hated it when her friends were sad.”
Police say Carrillo was walking across the road Saturday night when she was hit by a car.
Counselors were scheduled to be on site today at Desert Hot Springs High School where Carrillo attended classes, according to a district spokeswoman, Joan Boiko.
The counselors would be able to, “assist students and staff members who are in need of support following this tragedy this weekend,” said Boiko. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Pamela’s family and family, and her Desert Hot Springs High and Palm Springs Unified family are here to offer our support in any way possible,” Boiko added.
George Bullis, Principal at Desert Hot Springs, said losing a student is incredibly sad.
Bullis said, “It’s even sadder because she was a senior. She was just months away from walking on the stage with her peers, so it’s a sad time for all of us.”
Bullis said all of the school’s support staff would be mobilized Monday to handle the student’s grief.
Students were also planning to wear yellow in Carrillo’s honor Monday at the school, according to Facebook posts.
A GoFundMe.com page has been set up to raise money for Carrillo’s funeral expenses. You can find that page here.
