Loved ones are mourning the loss of a mother of four who was killed when a speeding driver caused a fiery multi-vehicle crash in San Bernardino.
On Jan. 14, Laura Teniz, 57, was on her way to work at a Denny’s restaurant, where she worked as a manager, when the deadly crash occurred.
Earlier that morning, San Bernardino police were responding to a welfare check after callers reported a man acting erratically at an ARCO gas station near Highland and Mountain View avenues, where he was seen slumped over the steering wheel of a gray Volvo sedan.
As officers approached, the driver suddenly sped away on Highland Avenue, reaching speeds of nearly 90 mph, police said. Officers turned around and followed the vehicle.
The pursuit ended around 7:14 a.m. at the busy intersection of Highland and De la Rosa avenues, where the Volvo slammed into a Toyota sedan stopped at a red light. The impact caused both vehicles to burst into flames before being pushed into the intersection and colliding with two additional vehicles.
Firefighters arrived to find four vehicles engulfed in flames. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene — the Volvo driver, who has not been identified, and Teniz, who was inside the Toyota. A third person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, while a fourth driver was not hurt.
Teniz’s family says they are devastated by the sudden loss. Her sister, Patricia Recinos, said she is still struggling to process what happened.
“She didn’t have a chance,” Recinos told KTLA’s Lindsey Peña. “The car blew up instantly into flames. I don’t understand. She was just a hard-working woman who was trying to get to work.”
Recinos said Teniz leaves behind three sons and one daughter and was deeply devoted to her children.
“She was their biggest supporter,” Recinos said. “She loved her kids. She always made sure they had everything.”
Authorities said the suspect driver died at the scene. The investigation remains ongoing, and a toxicology report is pending.
Recinos added that the family has not yet received Teniz’s remains, making the grieving process even more painful.
“It’s the most painful grieving,” she said. “And the way it happened to her, it’s even worse.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses. A vigil honoring Teniz is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 18, at the intersection of Highland and Del Rosa avenues.