Fundraiser for family of Johnson & Wales student killed by bus in uptown Charlotte
A fundraiser has been created to help the family of a Johnson & Wales University student who was pinned and killed by a motorcoach bus in uptown on Sunday.
Destiny Vazquez, 19, “was in the crosswalk and had the right of way while crossing,” when she was hit by a Van Hool Commuter Coach that had a green light, according to a CMPD statement. Speeding and intoxication “do not appear to be factors,” CMPD said.
One of Vazquez’s mother’s co-workers created the GoFundMe to help offset the cost of her funeral. Her mother is a CNA with Home Care Agency in Greenville County, according to the fundraiser.
“Destiny’s mother, Sandra, has selflessly given herself to the care of others for years. She has no life insurance or funeral pre planning. It is our time to rally around one of our community home care heroes and assist her in her time of grief,” Ruth Miller, the creator of the GoFundMe, wrote.
Vazquez was a “a vibrant, beautiful young woman,” who was just getting started in her career by training at a culinary institute, Miller wrote.
As of Wednesday afternoon the page raised over $8,000 towards the $15,000 goal.
“Our hearts are broken as this was such a senseless loss as a bus failed to yield the right of way to pedestrians,” Miller wrote. “We are struggling to come to grips with the loss.”
Officials at Johnson & Wales issued a statement to news outlets, first reported by WCCB and WCNC in Charlotte, saying Vazquez was a sophomore. The campus is near where the fatal collision happened.
From the statement: “Johnson & Wales University grieves the loss of Charlotte Campus sophomore Marielena Vazquez, who will always be remembered as Destiny to her family and friends. A Baking & Pastry Arts major scheduled to graduate in May 2023, she was a warm and caring student who excelled in both her labs and academics. We share our deepest condolences and stand united with Marielena’s family. Additional counseling services have been made available to our JWU community.”
This story was originally published October 12, 2022 at 4:24 PM.
