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A mother of 7 kids dead after being struck by ambulance in crash, family speaks out

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Tragedy for a family in Salinas after a mother, Maria Morales, was hit and killed by an ambulance on Tuesday morning.

The victim's oldest daughter is calling for a thorough investigation from the CHP as the family grieves.

"She's the strongest person I knew," said Vanesa Trejo, daughter of Maria Morales.

A vehicle meant to save lives took the life of 41-year-old Maria Morales.

According to CHP Monterey County, the accident happened at 3:29 a.m. when the driver of a Ford Transit ambulance owned by American Medical Response. As they were driving along Abbott Street, the victim, Maria Morales, began walking across the roadway in front of the ambulance.

While attempting to swerve to avoid Morales, the ambulance struck her instead. Morales was pronounced dead after suffering fatal injuries.

"She is the type of person who found a lot of comfort and love, like within family and community," says Trejo.

According to the CHP, the ambulance was driving south on Abbott Street. They say Morales was hit when she walked onto the road.

Investigators say the driver won't face charges. The family says Maria was most likely calling for help.

"All I could imagine is her running out of gas at some point in time, not having that line of communication. And it was freezing that night. Somebody who just wants to jump in the middle of a road, but I don't think would take it upon themselves to walk four miles across," Trejo.

Marias' family said they found her car, about 2 miles from where the incident happened.

"It was, completely out of gas. And her phone was in there and it was completely dead," said Trejo.

The CHP says they're looking into how fast the ambulance was moving and if there's dashcam video of the collision.

"AMR ambulance does have dash cams but if it was working captured the video of something going on. That's still going to be part of the investigation and potentially going to be evidence at this point," said Saul Perez, CHP Spokesperson.

Vanesa and her family believe Maria was driving back from visiting the graves of her parents in the Soledad area.

"That's where they were laid to rest. And she would go out there frequently."

Vanesa says Maria leaves behind 7 kids and one grandson.

"My mom got to see me and one brother gradually. And I have another brother who was supposed to graduate in a couple of months and she's not going to be there," said Trejo.

The CHP says the AMR driver wasn't driving under the influence. CHP is asking for anyone with more information to come forward.

Morales's family has set up a GoFundMe for funeral expenses.

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Dania Romero

Dania Romero is an reporter at KION News Channel 46.

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