Sunnyside baseball assistant coach Jesus Hernandez’s background with Anna Magdalena Garcia’s family extends to the time their children were involved with the Tucson Raiders youth football team, when an everlasting friendship bond was formed.
Anna’s father Emmanuel “Manny” Garcia and uncle Sammy Mendoza were coaches of the team. Jesus was with them on the sidelines. Hernandez’s wife sat in the stands with Anna’s mother Brianda and other family members during the game.
Hernandez’s daughter Anaira and Mendoza’s son Sammy Jr. played for the Raiders and Manny’s daughter Emme — Anna’s older sister — was a cheerleader.
“The way E and Sammy carried themselves and interacted with the kids, naturally as a coach myself it was easy to connect with them,” Hernandez stated. “Bri always made sure there was enough snacks in the stands.
“Our families grew really close.”
After tragedy struck last week, when Anna was killed at Valencia Road and Country Club Road as a result of a crash from a senseless street race, Hernandez and his family joined the Garcia family and friends — and all of Tucson — in grieving the loss of the 3-year-old girl.
“Our kids spent alot of time together, which makes this very hard,” Hernandez mentioned. “No parent should have to go through this. This was preventable.”
Hernandez wanted his team to honor Anna.
He thought of his players wearing pink wristbands and any accessories they have that are pink when the Blue Devils hosted Rincon/University on Thursday night. It so happens that Anna’s favorite color was purple — Rincon/University’s primary team color.
“I spoke to one of my seniors, Omar Ruiz, and told him what the family is to me,” Hernandez stated. “I then asked him if he would message the guys and ask them if they wouldn’t mind wearing pink wrist tape in her honor. With no hesitation he responded right away with a yes.”
Brianda was hospitalized from the crash and gave birth to a girl this week, according to a social media message written by Manny.
“With all of your love and prayers, I am able to write this,” he wrote. “It is with a heavy and joyful heart that I announce the birth of my baby girl, Ellianna. She is strong, healthy, and beautiful, just like her sisters.”
Brianda’s sister-in-law Samantha Bracamonte set up a GoFundMe for the family, and it has surpassed the goal of raising $98,000.
A vigil and fund-raising event staged by Rincon Little League was held in Anna’s honor on Thursday night at Tucson Field of Dreams at Silverlake Park.
The funeral service for Anna is Tuesday, April 28 at 9:30 a.m., at St. Augustine Cathedral downtown (192 S. Stone Ave.).
“The outpouring of support from the community has been absolutely unbelievable and a miracle from God,” Garcia wrote in his statement. “I can not express enough gratitude and thankfulness for all of you who have reached out to me and my family.”
Bracamonte has started a petition asking for legislation that would impose stricter penalties on drivers caught street racing.
The family wants it to be called “Anna’s Law.” A large amount of supporters will get the attention of lawmakers to increase penalties specifically for deaths in crashes caused by street racing.
The petition for Anna’s Law has been signed by almost 22,000 people with the goal to reach 25.000.
“Don’t allow my daughter’s life to be in vain,” Manny wrote. “Please support the petition so that we can all prevent future families from the devastation of losing a precious life taken too soon. I thank God for all of you in our community who have been affected and are fiercely fighting for change against this preventable tragedy that took my little girl from her loving family that would do anything just to have her back.”
Hernandez and Sunnyside coach Gabriel Moraga are referencing the tragedy while communicating to their players about life’s responsibilities.
“As a coach to young men who drive, we tell them the importance of being safe,” Hernandez mentioned. “Coach Moraga and myself tell the guys on a regular basis to be careful and that a life cannot be replaced. This should not have happened. An amazing family now has to find a way to cope and move forward.”
Recommended for you
