Sandra Alvarado first met Eliana Moreno on the job over 10 years ago, but it wasn’t until five years later that the news industry co-workers started hanging out and became close friends. They shared a mutual love of dogs, the French language and “taking trips and having adventures.”
Early last week, they had been planning their next trip together – a wine-tasting excursion to Paso Robles. Now Alvarado finds herself still reeling in disbelief over the sudden and heartbreaking loss of her dear friend – a Los Angeles helicopter news reporter affectionately known as “Eli in the heli” – who died at the age of 38.
“She was genuine, she was giving, she was sunshine. She was the kind of person who would make you feel special, even if she just met you,” an emotional Alvarado told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol, surrounded by hundreds at a community vigil honoring Moreno and five others who died in two interconnected multi-fatality crashes in Chatsworth on Sept. 15.
People in the surrounding community and beyond were shocked to learn of the devastating double tragedy that afternoon – an SUV-LA Metro bus collision and the subsequent NBC4 helicopter crash. Five people were killed within two hours: Moreno, helicopter pilot George Marciniw, bystander Edy Gutierrez Mejia, and bus passengers Gage Weida and Daniel Castillo.
The SUV driver, Bailee Lynn Rios, was arrested at the scene and is now facing two counts of second-degree murder. She is also being charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, according to the LA County District Attorney’s Office.
Loved ones of all five victims are not only deeply mourning their unimaginable loss, their pain is also being compounded by the agony of waiting. Relatives of Castillo waited in vain for Rios to arrive at the San Fernando Courthouse multiple times – she missed four consecutive arraignment hearings due to reported medical issues and remains in custody on a $4.1 million bond.
Daniel Castillo: ‘Beloved Dad’
On the family’s GoFundMe page, Castillo’s daughter Johaunna Castillo – one of Castillo’s four children – said they are “devastatingly heartbroken by the loss of our beloved dad.”
“We are still trying to process the unimaginable reality that he is no longer with us,” she wrote. “He was truly an amazing person who had a way of bringing laughter and light into every room he walked into. His presence made the people around him feel loved, welcomed, and cared for.”
Mejia: Returning ‘Home’ to Guatemala
Mejia, 29, had recently flown into LA from Cuilapa, Guatemala, for a business trip when he ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time – on the ground at the site of the chopper crash.
Karla Padilla, Mejia’s cousin, said his death has left his parents and their family in limbo, unable to lay him to rest. They hope to raise enough money via GoFundMe to assist with the costs of transporting his body to Guatemala, and for funeral and burial costs and other related expenses.
“This terrible and unforeseen tragedy has left an unfillable void and unimaginable grief throughout our entire family,” she wrote on their GoFundMe page. “Those who knew Edy know what a wonderful person he was – always full of life, nobility, and love for his loved ones.”
The public and families are also waiting for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the cause of the crash, which happened a quarter mile from the SUV-bus collision. As part of the investigation, the helicopter – which burst into flames when it crashed between two commercial buildings on Mason Avenue – was transported to an NTSB facility in Phoenix.
“We all saw those accidents on television; I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing, and it all happened so close to us, right here in our community,” said Amalia Gonzalez, a longtime Chatsworth resident. She recalled walking outside her home and seeing the heavy black smoke in the sky from the helicopter crash.
“That young man [Mejia] was probably so happy being here, visiting from Guatemala, and look what happened,” said Gonzalez, shaking her head with tears in her eyes. “It just hurts me so much to imagine what his mother and the rest of his family must be going through right now.
“When I found out that Eliana [Moreno] was the reporter who died, oh my God, I got goosebumps and I started crying,” she added. “I heard her voice all the time giving news reports – she was always so calm and so sweet, no matter what she was reporting, even if it was a car chase. … May God have them all with him, and may he help all of their families.”
Moreno: ‘Bigger Than Words’
Moreno, who was from Orange County, had worked in TV news for 16 years. She and Marciniw, a Burbank native, had been working together as a news team for NBC4 and Telemundo 52.
Moreno’s family released a public statement, thanking people for their support.
“Since she was 11 years old, Eliana dreamed of becoming a news reporter. Through hard work and courage, she turned that dream into a reality. So much of that journey was made possible by all of you who welcomed her into your homes and onto your screens. Your support meant more to her than you may ever know. We find comfort in knowing that Eliana left this world doing the very thing she loved, pursuing the passion she carried with her since she was a little girl.”
“So many people loved Eliana,” recounted Alvarado. “She was bigger than words, bigger than life. … She was like a light that shined on everyone whenever she walked in a room.”
For the GoFundMe page for Edy Gutierrez Mejia, go to: www.gofundme.com/f/edy-fernando-gutierrez-mejia.
For the GoFundMe page for Daniel Castillo, go to:
www.gofundme.com/f/in-honor-of-daniel-castillo-a-dad-who-gave-everything.
For the GoFundMe page for Gage Weida, go to: