Joanna Delgado was just 18 years old and about to graduate when she was driving her car near Five Points in Fresno County, California at around 7 pm. The teen was also pregnant, and had her boyfriend as well as a dog in the car with her when she suddenly swerved into oncoming traffic, causing a terrible and also fatal accident.
For reasons unknown, Joanna crossed the median and collided with another vehicle head on, which was being driven by Adriana Solorio Romero. The 24-year-old was killed at the scene.
There have been conflicting reports regarding the delivery of Joanna’s baby. Some sources report that the force of the impact from the accident caused Joanna to deliver prematurely, while others say that the infant was delivered via c-section.
Joanna was about 6 to 9 months pregnant at the time of the accident, and she died at the scene. Her baby unfortunately died at the hospital the next morning.
She was a student at Tranquillity High School, and was planning to graduate on Thursday.
“She was a wonderful student. She was very well liked by her classmates and teachers.” said her principal, Jim Reed.
The 16-year-old present in the car was Joanna’s boyfriend, who has been rumored to be the father of the child, and is still in the hospital with major injuries The dog that was in the car during the accident reportedly died at the scene as well. Joanna’s boyfriend was the only survior of the terrifying accident.
A news source reported on the teen and the accident via Facebook, writing: “18 year old crash victim who delivered baby girl during crash near Five Points- was set to graduate from high school this Thursday. Joanna Delgado's quote in the yearbook now devastating for her friends and classmates to read. Her baby passed away this morning. She was in leadership, played volleyball and softball. The sole survivor in the crash is Joanna's boyfriend. He is in critical condition.”
The yearbook quote that is sending a chill down everyone’s spine: “I would just like to apologize to those who were unable to graduate with the class of 2017. You missed out!”
Even the officers who arrived on the scene had a hard time processing everything that had happened.
"It's never easy coming to these traffic accidents,” said CHP Sgt. Mike Trenhomlm. “But to see something like that where a child is born prematurely and potentially sustain fatal injuries as a result of the accident, it's heartbreaking."
Investigations surrounding the accident are still taking place, but police but that no drugs or alcohol were involved.
A Gofundme page has been set up in honor of the late teen and her child, entitled: "In Loving Memory of Joanna and Mila".
