Loved ones honor Palm Springs crash victims a year later

The pain and tears remained for loved ones of 18-year-old Tierra Reagins and 21-year-old Osvaldo Ramirez as they marked the one year anniversary since the two were killed in a drunk driving crash. The families gathered Monday and looked at photos of Ozzy and remembered Tierra’s bubbly personality and beautiful smile.

“It’s like you never get over it. When you lose a child, it’s different,” said Reagins’ mother Marilyn Reagins.

“It still hurts like it did a year ago today when we first found out. It’s like a big part of our hearts will forever be empty,” said Reagins’ cousin Althea Edwards.

Friends and family honored the victims with a candlelight vigil and balloon release at the crash site at Gene Autry Trail and Tachevah.

Ramirez left behind his wife Christina and three sons.

The driver, 22-year-old Jonathan Eduardo Garcia slammed his car into a light pole. He and a third passenger were injured in the crash.

Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of murder and one count of DUI gross vehicular manslaughter last week. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors are dropping a second murder charge.

Garcia is expected to be sentenced to at least 15 years to life in prison in October.
He and his passengers were all friends.

“That’s what makes it so hard. Everyone loses in the situation. Even though he’s getting ready to go to prison, they will never come back home,” said Edwards. “I think we’ll finally get a chance to begin to heal, once he’s finally sentenced.”