TEMPLE CITY, Calif. (Gray News) – A California community is mourning the “senseless loss” of a mother and her 10-year-old daughter who were killed when a suspected drunk driver crashed into the family’s car.

Raymundo Argueta was traveling with his family when a suspected drunk driver collided head-on with their vehicle, killing his wife Jennifer Argueta and their ten-year-old daughter Sabrina Argueta.

“What I saw, I would rather not have seen. What I heard, I never want to hear again,” Raymundo Argueta told KABC. “Now she and my daughter are gone. The two most beautiful things I wanted in my entire life are gone.”

The accident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on August 17 in Temple City, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

The district attorney announced Tuesday that the driver alleged to have struck the Argueta family, 27-year-old Diego Santoscruz, will face charges of double murder, vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence.

“Our community is devastated by the senseless loss of Jennifer Argueta and her daughter Sabrina Argueta,” Gascón said in a press release. “This tragedy is a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the serious consequences that come with driving under the influence. Our office is committed to ensuring that the person responsible for this horrific incident is held fully accountable for their actions.”

Raymundo Argueta, who broke ribs in the accident, said both his daughter and his wife enjoyed reading, KABC reports. Sabrina had just started fifth grade and her mother worked as a librarian.

Sabrina’s fourth-grade teacher, Terry-Ann Flinner, is among those in the community supporting Raymundo Argueta and his son in this tragic situation.

“She loved to learn. She loved to share her knowledge with others. I think one of the most important things was that she was so kind and helpful. She was a friend to friends,” Flinner told KABC about Sabrina.

Loved ones on GoFundMe remember Sabrina’s smile as being so bright it “could light up any room,” and Jennifer Argueta is described as “the kindest, gentlest soul.” The fundraising page was set up to help the family with funeral costs and has raised more than $20,000 so far.

“The loss of these two beautiful, compassionate and innocent souls will always be with us, but we can take comfort in knowing that their spirits will live on forever in our hearts,” the GoFundMe campaign states.

According to KABC, Raymundo Argueta actually found some comfort in knowing what legacy his wife and daughter left behind.

“That shows me that’s how they are. And that they will always be like that,” he said.

Santoscruz is scheduled to be arraigned on September 24. The district attorney recommended that he be held on $4,255,000 bail.

Authorities said the 27-year-old was on probation for drunk driving at the time of the accident and had his driver’s license revoked, the Pasadena Star-News reported.

If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

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