A pregnant woman and her boyfriend were killed this week when a driver fleeing the police crashed into their car in Pomona, California, authorities said.
The incident began at approximately 9:30 p.m. on April 1, according to KTLA.
Officers from the Pomona Police Department were interviewing a victim of domestic violence in the 400 block of East 10th Street when the suspect, identified as Marshall Judson, 31, returned to the scene in a pickup truck. Authorities stated that Judson struck a patrol vehicle before fleeing the area, initiating a high-speed pursuit.
The chase ended when Judson’s truck collided with a sedan near the intersection of Garey Avenue and County Road. The occupants of the sedan, Jennifer Loera Zarco, 25, and her boyfriend, Marc Trejo, 26, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Zarco was eight months pregnant. The couple’s son, whom they had named Elliott, was due to be born April 20.
Family members told KTLA that the two were just minutes away from their home when the collision occurred.
“We just had her baby shower and she was so happy and excited,” Zarco’s sister Amber Torres said.
Zarco was the youngest of four sisters and was reportedly thrilled to become a mother.
Another sister, Andrea Solorio, told KTLA that the family was struggling to process the loss of someone whom they believed would have been an exceptional mother.
“I just can’t imagine what she was feeling or going through,” Solario said. “I think she definitely would’ve done a good job [as a mother] and it’s sad that we won’t get to see that. We didn’t even get to meet the baby.
“But I know she definitely would’ve been the best mom that she could be.”
Trejo, an avid soccer fan, had looked forward to raising his son to play the sport.
“He was so excited,” a family member of Trejo told KTLA. “He was a big soccer fan and was hoping to [raise] a soccer player.”
According to police, Judson was driving without a valid license at the time of the crash. Following his arrest, investigators reported finding a firearm and various firearm components inside his vehicle.
Judson has been booked on suspicion of several serious charges, including vehicular manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, driving under the influence, felony evasion and firearm-related offenses.
Relatives have launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral costs. So far, it has raised just over $22,000.
The fundraising page states that the families are seeking to provide a respectful service following the painful loss of the couple and their unborn child.
“Jenni and Mark were filled with so much love for the people around them and even more for each other,” the GoFundMe states. “We want to give them a respectful service that celebrates who they were and how much they were loved.”
