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Newbury Park family still grappling with death of 15-year-old son in a May Highway 23 collision
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Juan Carlo / Star staff Lidia Turcios, foreground, mourns her son Lester at Simi Valley Public Cemetery. Lester's best friend, Carlos Morales, 16, is seen at far left, along with Lester's brother Vladimir Turcios,
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More from Conejo ValleyPlaying soccer and basketball with friends and in sports leagues kept 15-year-old Lester Turcios on the go.
The Westlake High School freshman was on the go May 2, heading to Conejo Valley Days with his father, sister and brother, when a freeway collision shattered their lives. Lester died the next day.
Now the family is coping with a tragedy they never saw coming, said his father, Jose Turcios, who was driving the family's car when it was struck.
"We're moving forward with the help of God," Turcios, 44, said at the family's Newbury Park home recently.
Across from him sat his wife, Lidia, 44; their eldest son Vladimir, 16, a Westlake High senior; and their daughter, Genesis, 20, who is bound for Moorpark College.
In their comfortably furnished living room, family photos documenting the children's lives from tots to teens line shelves and tables.
Now, this collection is accompanied by two large poster boards. One is a memorial collage of photos showing Lester, laughing, at the beach, in a suit, with family and friends. The other poster bears handwritten expressions of sentiment and grief from others.
"We're trying hard to normalize our lives," Jose Turcios said.
"We know Lester would be happy with that, would want that," said Lidia Turcios.
"Also, we know Lester is with God, and we will see him again," Jose Turcios added.
But some things don't make sense, he said, not least because "it wasn't our fault, it was someone else's."
According to the California Highway Patrol, the family's car was going north on Highway 23, waiting to exit at the backed-up Janss Road offramp.
Their world changed forever when their car was hit by an sport utility vehicle driven by Jason Alley Frey, 37, of Newbury Park, which crossed several lanes of the highway, according to authorities.
Frey was arrested on suspicion of felony drunken driving resulting in injury. He was subsequently released, and the case is being reviewed, officials said.
The California Highway Patrol submitted its report to the District Attorney's Office, where the case "is pending drug analysis, pending lab results," said Officer Brandon Mumme, a CHP spokesman.
"The case is still being reviewed. We haven't filed (charges) yet and are awaiting additional information," said Special Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Schwartz.
Meanwhile, the family has much to remember their son by.
At Colina Middle School, Lester won silver and bronze medals for running, family members said, unable to hold back tears.
"He went to school all the time, church Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. He liked to play with his friends, bring his friends to my home and to church," remembers his father.
"He was a happy person," his mother said. "He had a little sad look in his eyes but a big smile. An honest hand. A good student. He was a nice son to his parents," she added.
Jose and Lidia Turcios emigrated from Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, eight years ago to find "better jobs and education for our children," Jose Turcios said.
He works for a general contractor installing floors, bathrooms, electricity and plumbing. Lidia Turcios works in child care.
Family friend Julie Rosen said Jose and Lidia are "very committed to their children. Amazing people. Very loving and kind."
Shelby Taylor, 16, who attends Westlake High School, said she was a friend of Lester's.
"He was very fun," she said. "He'd go out of his way to make you smile."
Services for Lester took place May 6 at Iglesia Maranatha in Thousand Oaks and May 7 at Rose Family Funeral Home in Simi Valley, followed by his burial at Simi Valley Public Cemetery.
On the Net:
http://www.lesterturcios memorialfund.citymaker.com.
Posted by wplander on July 16, 2008 at 12:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Any chance that Star can make the link to the memorial fund actually work? I can cut and paste but geez guys, can't you be accurate??!!!
Posted by stikkelman on July 16, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
there is never a "normal" after losing a child, just a new normal. I am so sorry for your loss. I know too well the loss of a child and the horrific feeling of despair and sadness it brings. I hope your family has the feeling of your angel's hugs from heaven. God Bless
Posted by Ms_California on July 16, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This story is so very sad. My heart goes out to the family.
Posted by DrcGrl on July 16, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My heart and prayers go out to this family. Very tragic loss. I was leaving Conejo Valley days and heard this accident happen. Very sad.
Posted by GitRdone on July 16, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE TURCIOS FAMILY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU & COMFORT YOU ALWAYS, ESPECIALLY DURING YOUR MOST DIFFICULT DAYS. FILL COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT YOUR ANGEL LESTER IS WATCHING OVER ALL OF YOU NOW & IS IN THE LOVING ARMS OF OUR LORD.
GOD BLESS LESTER'S MOM, DAD, & BROTHERS/SISTERS.
Posted by BeaHappi on July 16, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't even imagine losing a child. I am so sorry for this family. My most sincere condolences.
Posted by toofargone on July 16, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.lesterturciosmemorialfund....
here it is. they have a space between turcios and memorial... it shouldnt be there.
Posted by noonespecial on July 16, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I cried while reading this story. I have a 16 year old son and could not imagine my life without him! My thoughts and prayers go out to the Turcios family. May God bring you peace and continued strength.
Posted by barrerafamily5 on July 16, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know your pain so well, we lost our beautiul 18 yr. old daughter to a tragic car accident. Although it has only been six months, it feels like yesterday. So true our lives have changed forever, she was also a passenger in the vehicle and everything changed in a split second. Always remember that our children are now with God, and we are left her to go on until we meet again. Keep your faith and remember what a beautiful reunion awaits us, God will sustain you and give you strenghth day by day. May God Bless you and your family.
Posted by Amazon on July 16, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember when this happened and there were several links of Frey's prior criminal record up here with past drug/alcohol experiences. The articles states that his vehicle crossed several lanes of highway. What made him cross several lanes? I feel so bad for this family because I'm sure they're going through a legal nightmare right now (wondering what caused the accident) on top of grieving for their son. I would be livid if this happened to anyone in my family.
Posted by sada on July 17, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lester and my son used to hang with some of the same friends. Carlos is my neighbor. I sent flowers to the funeral with my son. My heart; and my prayers go out to your family. I have prayed to god to give you strenghth to continue on no matter how tough it is. I pray that justice deals with the man who disrupted your family life.
Posted by speakingout on July 18, 2008 at 1:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers continue to be with Lester's family. I know Lester's friends miss him dearly, my daughter included. My daughter and I visited Lester's grave and left him some flowers and felt an overwhelming amount of sadness because he shouldn't be there. Lester should be having fun with his friends and family. God will see everyone through this tragic loss. God bless.
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