'Words can't describe how I feel': Family mourns 18-year-old killed in West Allis crash

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- CBS 58 is learning more about what happened the moments before 18-year-old Maryxa Valle Zepeda was killed in a crash in West Allis.

The scene Monday, April 25, was very different than it was a day earlier; much of the debris from the wrecked vehicles and traffic lights are replaced with flowers in memoriam by family and friends.

They all say Zepeda was at the center of their lives.

"We were always gathered together, she's my daughter too, believe it or not, she's my niece but she's my daughter too, and it's hard to say goodbye, to believe, I said just wake me up, wake me up, tell me this isn't true," said Amalia Zepeda, Zepeda's aunt.

Amalia Zepeda was one of many placing flowers right outside 'Da Bar' in West Allis at South 60th and Burnham Monday morning, trying to plan for what they need to do next.

"We're going through a lot right now, starting with the parents, mom is here, father is in Mexico, we heard this morning that actually he's at the border trying to get any kind of permit to come over here at least to reunite with the other kids," said Amalia.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office says moments before this all happened early Sunday morning, a Pontiac was driving 60-70 mph on Burnham where the speed limit is 30.

West Allis police say the vehicle ran the red light at South 60th, crashing into a jeep driven by an 18-year-old man.

The driver of the jeep, and two nearby men in their mid-50's were taken to the hospital.

The 20-year-old man, who has yet to be identified by police, was also taken to the hospital and could face charges of impaired driving and homicide.

Zepeda was pronounced dead at the scene.

Reports say there was an open can of beer in the console of the Pontiac.

"You know I hope that people take this as don't drive and drink, you know it's dangerous, if you're fighting or whatever with your significant other, don't speed," said Zepeda's sister, Jamila Zepeda.

Jamila Zepeda says she's trying to stay strong now and hopes no one else has to go through what her family is experiencing.

"Words can't really describe how I feel, my sister is gone, she's not going to be here anymore," said Jamila.

West Allis police are still investigating what happened. Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities.