The close-knit community of fruit vendors in Ontario, California, held a fundraiser on both Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11, for the surviving families of 20-year-old Ariel Tucubal Rabinal, who was killed last week by a DUI driver.
KABV-TV reports that the fundraiser was also to benefit Ariel Rabinal’s cousin, Hector Rabinal, 32, who was left with two fractured legs and ribs. In addition to the grief of losing Ariel, family and friends are concerned that Hector may not be able to walk again.
Police have arrested 41-year-old Jessica Dewet of Chino in connection with the DUI hit-and-run crash. Investigators say that the fatal crash happened at approximately 11:15 a.m. on July 5, 2021, as the two cousins were crossing Riverside Drive.
Eyewitnesses told police that Dewet did not attempt to stop. Dewet’s white van collided with the two men and their fruit cart when another vehicle in the fast lane had slowed to let the men pass while Dewet, who was in the slow lane, sped up and hit them.
Ariel Rabinal was declared dead at the scene of the crash while his cousin was rushed to an area hospital for treatment.
Dewet was arrested on the charges of DUI, gross vehicular manslaughter, and other related charges.
The fruit vendors participating in the weekend fundraiser say that all monies raised will aid the families and transport Ariel Rabinal’s body back to his native country of Guatemala.
