Haley Taylor and Ava Salazar
Lake Highlands High School graduate Haley Taylor and her 6-year-old daughter, Ava Salazar, died late Halloween night when their Lexus SUV crashed into the back of a Cadillac SUV on 75. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses.
The Cadillac had been carrying seven family members from Nashville visiting the Dallas area for a wedding. According to Richardson police, the family members were standing outside their vehicle after it stalled in the HOV lane near Renner Road when the crash happened. Alyia Khalid, 19, died as a result of her injuries, and her sister was hospitalized.
After the initial impact, several other vehicles collided with the wreckage, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. A Dodge sedan crashed into the back of the Lexus, and that driver and passenger were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A Nissan sedan was struck twice — once by the Dodge and again by an 18-wheeler as it passed through the crash scene. Two additional vehicles were damaged by debris. No additional injuries were reported, but rush hour traffic was snarled for hours Friday morning during the investigation.
Haley played soccer for the Wildcats before graduating in 2016.
“Haley was a devoted mother who cherished her daughter, and together, they brought warmth, joy, and love into the lives of everyone around them,” organizers of the GoFundMe page wrote. “They were a true blessing to their family, friends, and community.”
Ava was a kindergarten student at Wallace Elementary, and a candlelight vigil will be held there Sunday, Nov. 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to honor their memory. Candles will be provided, and all are welcome. Wallace is at 9921 Kirkhaven.
This post has been edited to add details about the candlelight vigil.
