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Crime & Safety

Friends, Family Say Goodbye to Xavier After Fatal Berkeley Crash

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According to a family member on Facebook, died Friday after a fatal car accident in Berkeley on May 18 that left his mother, Milanca Lopez, dead at the scene.

Authorities have released minimal details about the crash, citing privacy concerns.

Friends and family of Milanca Lopez set up a Facebook page in their memory. 

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Jose Lumbreras, who authorities say was driving the car when it , was left in serious condition after the accident.

The Alameda County district attorney's office charged Lumbreras last week with . Authorities said Lumbreras's preliminary blood alcohol concentration level was .219 percent. (The legal blood alcohol concentration limit is .08 percent.) Police arrested him Tuesday at Highland Hospital, where he remains, according to the Berkeley Police Department.

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Police said Lopez's young son was taken to the hospital in serious condition following the wreck, at California Street and Allston Way. The boy was said to be on life support with minor brain function present last week.

Friday, May 25, just before 7 p.m., Marc Lopez posted on the memorial Facebook page that, "At 6:30pm PST, our precious Xavier joined his mother Milanca in heaven for eternity. They will always be together, and have never been apart... We love you Milanca & Xavier always!"

Numerous friends and relatives left messages of love and support on the memorial Facebook page.

"No words can describe how I feel about this news," wrote Juliana Ramirez. "I feel like it was just yesterday we were playing taking turns going to each others house just to play in the yard, or going swimming in the summer. Then I would go over to there house just next door to me just to hang out. I remember hearing her lauph and xavier giggling. I always loved going to the lopez's, I will never forget milanca and xavier forever you both will be in my heart. I know shes happy holding her baby in her arms again. I love you both."

Friend Angela Wooton shared this memory: "Millie, you were my first student-parent friend when I got to Cal. I remember taking the bus to Caltopia with our kids. They thought the bus was so much fun! I remember thinking how amazing you were for moving to a strange place with your son at only 17 years old! I was always in awe of your brilliance and thoughtfulness, all of the life plans that you made were because you loved and wanted to help others.

"I'll never forget your birthday," Wooton continued. "I bought you a cookbook, and when I brought it over, you and Xavier were making baked salmon. When you put it on the baking sheet, Xavier said in his 1 year old raspy voice, 'Yum, Yum. Yum, Yum.' He was licking his lips and everything. You could tell he loved his mommy's cooking. Shortly after that we sat in the student parent center and you very carefully wrote out this recipe for me. It has always been a precious item in my kitchen. Your pazole was always a special treat at Mama Bear get-togethers. I've made it once since, and will do so again in your memory. You were always so brilliant, smiling, kind, fun, caring, and fabulous. Such a hole has been left in our hearts by your and Xavier's passing. I've always admired what beautiful people you and Xavier were. You will always live on through your legacy in kindness and joy."

Donations to the Milanca Lopez fund can be sent to www.gofundme.com/milancalopez.

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