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Honoring a mother and daughter killed by a suspected drunk driver. As the family tries to prepare for the funeral.<br /><br />The Chavez family was returning home from a quinceanera Saturday night. Police say a drunk driver was speeding when he hit the family’s SUV.<br /><br />40-year-old Jacqueline Rivera Chavez and her 11-year-old daughter Aaliyah were killed.<br /><br />Those who knew Aaliyah are trying to keep the memory of the mother and daughter alive. As the family raises funds to cover funeral expenses.<br /><br />Relatives offered hot chocolate and tamales to those who wanted to make a donation to the Chavez family. The small table was set up just feet from where Jacqueline Rivera Chavez and her daughter Aaliyah lost their lives Saturday night. Victims of a suspected drunk driver.<br /><br />18-year-old Francisco Chavez lost his mother and sister in the crash.<br /><br />"I appreciate how everyone is showing their support. It warms my heart and my family’s heart to see that people care about us and are trying to help us through this tough moment. Their lives got taken away too soon," Francisco said.<br /><br />Francisco was not with his family the night of the crash. But his brother, Jose, was and suffered burns on his face and hands after the SUV caught fire.<br />Jose had to crawl out a window to escape. He wasn’t ready to talk about the crash.<br />Francisco says it’s been difficult for his father who was also in the car and lost his wife of 20 years.<br /><br />"Every little thing that reminds us in the household has a connection to my mom to my little sister. So every time we see it, we start thinking of them, puts us into tears, but we try to be strong for my little brother," Francisco said.<br /><br />Aaliyah and her little brother attended an after-school program together. Leaders of that program have come up with a way to keep the memory of Aaliyah and her mother alive – with hair bows.<br /><br />"She was creating her own identity and one of those ways was her bows. They were always fancy and they always stood out," said Shateir Butler with CARE Fresno.<br /><br />The group has collected more than a hundred bows so far and will make more to hand out to family, friends and classmates at Ayers Elementary where Aaliyah went to school.<br /><br />A memorial fund has been set up for the family. Donations can be made to: Chavez Family Memorial Fund at any branch of EECU.<br /></div>
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