Family of Salinas crash victim campaigns for “Justice for Rosie” outside courthouse

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Family and friends of Rosie Figueroa, a woman who was killed in a Salinas crash five days before Christmas last year, were outside the Monterey County Courthouse Thursday asking for two things- justice for Rosie and for people to stop drinking and driving.

The group is urging the Monterey County District Attorney's Office to continue following up on the case and charge the person responsible for Figueroa's death.

Figueroa's mother spoke at the demonstration, urging everyone not to drink and drive this holiday season.

"New Years is coming, Christmas is coming. Please, don't drink and drive! And if you drink, and I have nothing against you if you do, stay home! Don't hurt any other families," she said.

In response to the demonstration, the Monterey County District Attorney's Office said in a statement:

"The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office wishes to express their support of the family of Rosie Figueroa and of the community that cherishes her memory. The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office is actively investigating a fatal traffic collision that occurred on December 20, 2019, at approximately 11:30 PM in the area of South Davis Road and Acacia Street. Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Investigator Leo Gómez at (831)-755-5167, or via email at GomezL5@co.monterey.ca.us"

Monterey County District Attorney's Office

Figueroa's family plans to hold a candlelight vigil in her honor at Central Park at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Background

The crash that led to her death happened near Davis Road and West Arcadia. Investigators said evidence showed that a speeding Mazda hit the Toyota Figueroa was driving, and she died at the scene when the vehicle overturned and crashed into a fence.

When officers arrived, the two people who had been inside the Mazda were already out of the car. No witnesses were at the scene to say who had been driving, but investigators believed the initial was driving because the vehicle was registered to him, the key fob was found in his pocket and the driver's seat appeared to be better adjusted to someone his size than the other person in the car. When a DUI investigation was conducted, police say he was under the influence of alcohol and subsequently arrested.

Last week, new evidence led the DA's Office to dismiss the case against the initial suspect. Investigators said DNA taken from the airbag on the passenger's side of the Mazda was sent to the Department of Justice for analysis, and the DA's Office said it was his DNA. Because the airbag was inaccessible before the crash, investigators came to the conclusion that the initial suspect was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash and was not the driver.

Investigators have not identified the other person in the vehicle.

Figueroa was a 38-year-old mother and life-long Salinas resident. At a Rosary held shortly after her death, family and friends remembered her as a joyous woman with an unforgettable smile.