TAMPA, Florida — Two family members from Tampa are being remembered after they died from a crash in Virginia while on their way for a Thanksgiving visit.
Augusto Aguilar, a 69-year-old father, and his daughter, 17-year-old Allyssa Marie Aguilar, were killed when their sedan collided head-on with a box truck. The crash is still under investigation.
The mother, Maria Jennifer Aguilar, survived the crash and is recovering at a hospital in Maryland.
"It's hard," said Ivory Cerezo, Allyssa Aguilar's sister and stepdaughter of Augusto Aguilar. "But we have to be strong for her."
Cerezo said the family is trying to stay strong for Maria Jennifer Aguilar. There are no words to describe the physical pain from the crash, but most especially the grief of losing a husband and a daughter. Cerezo flew in the day after the crash to support her mother.
Allyssa Aguilar, a graduate of King High School in Tampa, had dreams of perhaps joining the FBI someday, her sister said. She was just about to turn 18 and had been studying criminology at USF.
Cerezo said she just hopes her sister knows how much she loves her.
"I keep on telling my husband and family around us that we should say, 'I love you.' Every time. All the time. Don't take any moment for granted because you'll never know," Cerezo said.
Known for her love for cooking, dancing and singing, Allyssa Aguilar was also an exceptional student. She had accelerated to her second year of college because of her academics, Cerezo said.
Above all, she was nicknamed Miss Congeniality because of her warmth.
"Every person she meets, they would fall in love with her, like, want to be with her all the time," Cerezo said. "There's never a dull moment with her."
Just short of turning 18 in January, she had hoped to visit Korea next year as a loyal K-POP fan as well. Among Cerezo's fondest memories was bringing her sister to a BLACKPINK concert.
Meanwhile, Augusto Aguilar was a Navy veteran, but above all, he was known for his comedic personality and big heart.
"He loves my son so much and my husband, too," Cerezo said. "Whenever we visit, he keeps saying, 'Just come back anytime.'"
While Maria Jennifer Aguilar recovers in the hospital, the family is hoping to raise enough money to bring Augusto and Allyssa Aguilar back to Tampa in order for a proper memorial service to take place.
Cerezo said she prays both her stepfather and sister are somewhere together, and helping guide the family.
"I keep telling them that I'm sorry, I didn't get to tell them I love them, but we all love them," Cerezo said.
For now, Cerezo said she and other loved ones, including those from the Philippines where they emigrated, are grateful for all the people raising money to help them.
If you'd like to donate to the GoFundMe, visit this link.