Candlelight vigil in memory of Monique Guzman, 9-year-old killed in crash

On Saturday, dozens of people attended a candlelight vigil in memory of Monique "Ceci" Guzman, 9, who was killed earlier this week.

Monique’s teacher at Julius Corsini Elementary School, Nicole Hartt, described her as a sweet, old soul. “She had a good vibe to her. She was mellow. She was a cool, sweet girl. She loved what she did.”

Guzman was one of four children who had been struck by a car, after it had already crashed into a school bus on Thursday.

The students were walking home from a school bus stop when they were struck on Corkill Aurora Roads near Desert Hot Springs.

“The reality is that there’s no sidewalk. This is the reason why these accidents happen because it’s a flat road and it’s dangerous, clearly,” said Hartt.

Hartt hopes the city and county can make a change, so it doesn’t happen to anyone else. “She was an absolute angel. she’s gonna be very missed and Corsini [elementary school] won't be the same.”

Julio and another child are being hospitalized. Guzman's aunt told News Channel 3 Julio is in stable condition.

There is a GoFundMe set up to help cover medical and funeral expenses.