Beloved Rancho Cucamonga preschool teacher killed in Mt. Baldy Road crash

The family of a 22-year-old woman killed in a crash on Mt. Baldy Road is remembering her as a devoted daughter, loving sister and preschool teacher who dedicated her life to caring for others. Korrina Lopez died following a July 17 collision on Mt. Baldy Road, leaving behind a grieving family that says her compassion and selflessness touched everyone she met. “She was everything to me,” her brother, Isaiah Lopez, told KTLA's Shelby Nelson. Her uncle, Gabriel Caraza, said the loss still feels impossible to comprehend. “It doesn't feel real that she's not here,” he said. “Every time I open my eyes and think about it, it hits me all over again.” Family members described Lopez as quiet and reserved, but also playful, saying she had a natural gift for working with children. “Ever since we were younger, she always had a way with kids and loved being with them,” Caraza said. Lopez worked as a preschool teacher at Alta Loma Christian School in Rancho Cucamonga, the same campus she and her younger brother attended as children. Balloons and flowers now sit outside the school in her memory. According to the California Highway Patrol, Lopez was riding with four friends on the night of the crash as they traveled north on Mt. Baldy Road. Investigators said the driver of a southbound Toyota Tundra attempted to pass another vehicle by driving onto the dirt shoulder before losing control. The vehicle carrying Lopez then collided with the Tundra. Lopez was taken to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries. Two other occupants in her vehicle suffered major injuries, while two others were treated for minor injuries. As Lopez fought for her life in the hospital, her family said her biggest concern remained her mother, who had recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. According to her family, Lopez had become her mother's primary caregiver following the diagnosis. “Just before she passed, I promised I'd take care of our mom,” Isaiah Lopez said. “Because I know everything my mom is going through, and I know she needs someone.” While the family continues to mourn, they say Lopez's kindness and generosity will be her lasting legacy. “If someone was excluded from something, she would always bring them to the table where everyone was,” Isaiah Lopez said. “She never left anyone out.” The California Highway Patrol said the driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries, but a passenger in that vehicle was killed. Investigators added that drugs and alcohol do not appear to have been factors in the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.