The Chula Vista community is rallying around the family of a woman killed after being run over by a truck.
Police say Leonor Castillo, 37, died Friday after being hit repeatedly by a pickup truck driven by her ex-husband, 37-year-old Cesar Castillo. On Monday, Cesar surrendered to authorities at the U.S.-Mexico.
Leonor leaves behind three daughters, ages 10, 8 and 3. The girls were waiting for their mother at their grandparents’ house so they could decorate the Christmas tree together, according to Chula Vista police.
The story tugged at the heartstrings of members of the Chula Vista Police Department, who have jumped into action. The Crimes of Violence Unit is collecting money from police officers and other employees to buy Christmas gifts for the girls, and dispatchers are stuffing stockings. The children will also be part of the department’s annual toy drive Dec. 13, according to CVPD.
Leonor’s family has set up its own Go Fund Me account for the girls. As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, it had raised nearly $3,000.
Leonor was vice president of the Parent-Teacher Association at Palomar Elementary School. On Monday, the school sent a note to parents explaining their "beloved" PTA vice president had been killed.
