Mother was on her way to pick up a child at school





Claudia Mejia

Claudia Mejia

A mother of three on her way to pick up a daughter at Calabasas High School died Feb. 4 in a six-vehicle crash on the 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills.

The accident that claimed the life of Claudia Carolina Mejia, 40, occurred shortly after 3 p.m. near the off-ramp of the southbound 101 at Valley Circle Boulevard.

Mejia, who was driving a 2009 Hyundai Genesis, died at the scene, said the Highway Patrol’s Leland Tang.

The collision left two other motorists injured, and the cause of the multi-vehicle crash remains under investigation.

“Claudia’s family and friends are devastated by her loss,” said Kyrsha Wildasin, a Calabasas resident and friend of the Mejia family.

Mejia is survived by her husband Gerber Fuentes, daughters Thania, 18, Grecia, 14 and son Justin, 9.

Tang said the accident was triggered when Massoud Entezari, 76, of West Hills collided into Mejia’s car. The impact caused a chain reaction that involved four other cars.

Entezari suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Northridge Hospital.

Kurt Keener, 50 of Canoga Park, who was driving a Honda Civic that struck a guard rail, sustained minor injuries and was taken to Kaiser Hospital in Woodland Hills. The drivers of the three other vehicles were unhurt.

Mejia was a leasing manager at Malibu Canyon Apartments in Calabasas.

“She was a devoted mother and loyal friend. She worked hard, loved life and smiled constantly,” said Wildasin, whose son played baseball with Mejia’s son, a student at Lupin Hill Elementary School.

Wildasin launched an online fundraiser to support the Mejia family in the wake of the tragedy. As of Monday, the site had raised almost $24,000.

In addition to raising funds for the Mejia family, Wildasin said she and others are organizing meal deliveries and plan to collect gift cards for the grieving father and his children.

“They are so grateful that everybody wants to help,” the woman said. “This community is such a family oriented community that this tragedy affects everybody.”

To donate, visit Fundly.com and look for the Mejia memorial.


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