Poway mom, daughter die in Utah car crash
A Poway family on its way home from the Thanksgiving holiday was beset by tragedy, losing two of its members in a rollover accident along a snowy highway in Utah.
The incident happened about 3 a.m. on Friday Nov. 23, just south of Beaver, Utah, 200 miles south of Salt Lake City, said Sgt. David Bairett of the Utah Highway Patrol.
Weather has been determined as the main cause of the incident, Bairett said.
A snowstorm had passed through the area, leaving a slippery surface for the Poway residents, who traveled south on Interstate Highway 15 in a Ford F350 pickup.
“Basically, north of that area there was no snow, and they drove into an area where there was snow and before (the driver) could reduce his speed, he lost control of the vehicle,” said Bairett.
The vehicle ran off the road and rolled several times before it came to a stop.
A state trooper who responded to the site found that two of the car’s occupants had been partially ejected from the vehicle, said Bairett, adding that all had been wearing seat belts.
Ria Christine Carroll, 33, and her daughter, 13-year-old Alexis Herrera, were killed at the scene.
The driver, James D. Carroll, and 7-year-old MaKayla Carroll, who suffered a broken arm, were taken to area hospitals with minor-to-moderate injuries, said Bairett.
They have since been released, Bairett said, adding that the family was headed to California from Montana.
Ria Carroll was a realtor with a Coldwell Banker branch in Scripps Ranch, said co-workers.
“She was a part of our family,” said one co-worker who answered the phone at the branch.
Carroll was born in San Diego, and graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1992. She was married to James Carroll for nine years and is also survived by her daughter, Makayla Carroll; sisters, Carrie MacMootry-Piglowski and Liana MacMootry, both of San Diego; and her parents, Carolyn and Richard MacMootry.
Monday morning word seemed to have spread to Twin Peaks Middle School, where someone had put up memorial for Alexis Herrera along the school’s fence.
Herrera was an eighth-grader at the school, and her hobbies included pets, dancing and family.
She is also survived by her father, Salvador Herrera of San Marcos; a brother, Robert Herrera as well as sisters, Angelique Herrera and Alicia Herrera of Winchester and Makayla Carroll of Poway; grandparents Salvador and Olivia Herrera of San Diego; and great-grandmothers Lupe Luna and Helen Herrera both of Los Angeles.
Viewing, visitation and rosary have been scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3 at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, 13734 Twin Peaks Road in Poway.
A mass has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 at the church.
The burial will take place at Dearborn Memorial Park at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4.
The family suggests donations be sent to Rady Children’s Hospital, 3020 Children’s Way, San Diego, CA 92123.