Community mourns sisters killed in bedroom during car crash. They were fairly new to Fresno

The two sisters killed when a vehicle plowed into their bedroom Wednesday night had just moved to Fresno a few months ago, according to one of the victim’s relatives.

The family had recently bought their house in southeast Fresno, and sister Mang and Eliza Yang were both working together achieving a better life through education.

Mang, 25, was in a vocational/trade school and excelling in her classes to become a nurse.

Eliza, 18, graduated from Fresno High this past spring and planned to go to college.

Their dreams were destroyed when an 18-year-old gang member tried to flee from law enforcement and instead crashed into the Yang sisters’ bedroom.

At the time of the crash, one of the sisters was asleep and the other was about to go to work. Both sisters were pronounced dead at the scene, deputies said.

Instead of celebrating an upcoming graduation, those who cared about Mang and Eliza Yang had come together as part of a somber vigil.

UEI College instructor Joseph Cornell described Mang as one of his best students.

The instructor brought Yang’s classmates to support the family for a vigil attended by about 50 people.

“We all saw her hours before it happened,” Cornell said. “She took the afternoon class and left.”

Cornell recalled Mang drawing blood out of his hands as part of his venipuncture class (collecting blood from a vein) earlier in the day of the crash.

Being that Mang was one of his most skilled students, Cornell trusted Mang.

“She’s one of the best in my class at that,” he said. “I don’t allow them to do it to me, but she’s so good. She was a mentor to all of her fellow classmates.”

Cornell said he had an online class in the evening, but he noticed Mang Yang wasn’t logged in. Reality sat in when one of the classmates sent him a news video of what happened.

“This is the first time I’ve ever lost a student,” he said.

Mourners at the vigil placed candles and balloons where the incident happened. Music from a young child blared.

Family rocked

Sitting before the flowers and candles were Yang’s parents, who listened to the prayers and memories shared by the mourners.

Dao Yang said the family recently moved to Fresno six months ago and just bought the house.

He was at work at the time of the fatal collision and said something wasn’t right. He picked up his phone “and I looked through my Facebook and the first thing I saw was the crash.”

He said he knew it was his relatives home because the truck was at an unusual spot.

“’Oh no’,” he remembers saying. “It’s my cousin’s house. I went to my boss and told I have bad news. He said you got to go.”

Dao Yang said Mang Yang was helpful for the family and both sisters were supportive in every family gathering.

Eliza Yang was planning on going to college, Dao Yang said.

Fresno Unified released a statement Friday on the death of Eliza.

“We are heartbroken to learn of her tragic passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones as they navigate this unimaginable loss,” the district wrote.

Suspect arrested, charges filed

Deputies arrested gang member Adam Canales, who fled from a disturbance involving other gang members at Verrue Avenue and Eighth Street, north of Tulare Street.

Deputies said Canales jumped into a white Chevy Tahoe and sped away, and also ran a stop sign.

A deputy turned on his light and siren to make a traffic stop, but Canales did not pull over and sped up on Eighth Street and across Nevada Avenue. Canales crashed near Cedar Avenue, driving through a fence and into a bedroom of a house. where the sisters were located.

Canales ran from the scene and was located by the police helicopter at 4500 block of E. Ball Avenue. He surrendered to deputies. He was booked into Fresno County Jail for evading police and vehicular manslaughter.

He is also facing an infraction for driving with alcohol in his system and being under 21 years old.

Zanoni said the pursuit lasted just 27 seconds.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office filed murder charges against Canales.

He is charged with two counts of murder; one count of evading an officer causing death and one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Canales is facing 30 years to life in state prison if convicted on all charges.

GoFundMe account set up

The brother of the Yang’s sisters, Mao, has set up a GoFundMe account.

Yang said his baby sister woke up early to help their dad prepare food and get his younger brothers ready to get to school.

Anyone wishing to donate can go to GoFundMe.