MURRIETA, CALIFORNIA: Five siblings were left orphaned after their parents died in a private jet crash in California that occurred 500 feet from the runway. Marine corps veteran Manuel Vargas-Regalado, 32, and his wife Abigail Tellez-Vargas, 33, a real estate agent from Murrieta, died on Saturday morning, July 8, when their Cessna C550 aircraft crashed as it neared the French Valley Airport between Los Angeles and San Diego, causing it to erupt into a massive blaze, as per Daily Mail. A GoFundMe campaign has been started in the name of the five surviving children to provide for their care. They have been taken in by Abigail Tellez-Vargas' sister.
The pilot reportedly informed air traffic control that he could not see the landing strip due to the thick fog as Manuel and Abigail were returning from a business trip early in the morning. Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner Chad Bianco revealed the names of four other people killed in the tragedy: pilot Riese Lenders, 25; and passengers Lindsey Gleiche, 31; Alma Razick, 51; and Ibrahem Razick, 46.
Who were Manuel Vargas-Regalado and Abigail Tellez-Vargas?
Abigail Tellez-Vargas and Manuel Vargas-Regalado, who were among six people killed when their business jet exploded in Riverside, were San Benito High School sweethearts who worked together to achieve the American dream in California, according to family and friends. When the pair graduated from San Benito High School in 2008, City Commissioner Pete Galvan was among their class. "They were high school sweethearts," he told in an interview. "Manny and Abigail were the epitome of high school sweethearts that inspired the rest of our class. They were the inspirational couple here in San Benito whose success and inspiration we cherished. They stayed together through high school, starting their professional careers and building their success. Over social media, they became that power couple we all looked up to."
'Achieved the American dream'
Mayra Flores' sister was also a member of the couple's graduating class at San Benito High School. "It's so sad," said Flores, the former Republican District 34 congresswoman who had attempted to reclaim the seat a year after becoming Texas' first Mexican-born woman to win a congressional seat and the first Republican to represent District 34 in more than 150 years. "They came from San Benito, moving to California, kept hustling and achieved the American dream. They left behind five beautiful children," Flores said.
'They were truly an inspiration to us all'
Flores' Facebook post on July 10 characterized the couple as "an inspiration to us all." She wrote in her post, "My deepest heartfelt condolences to the Téllez and Vargas family and the four other people on that plane. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Manny and Abby were San Benito High School sweethearts living the American dream with their five beautiful children. They were truly an inspiration to us all. My heart hurts for their children. Please keep them in your prayers. Hug your loved ones — say I love you. Tomorrow is never promised. Rest in peace, Abigail and Manny."
Five children orphaned after parents die in jet crash
Monique Bettencourt, a friend of the family, commented on the GoFundMe page set up for the family. "These children did not just lose one parent they have lost both which just breaks my heart," she stated, adding that the children's "whole world had been taken from them." She further said, "They were amazing parents to five beautiful children who they leave behind, Caleb 14, Alexandria 11, Manny 8, Alberto 3, and Avi 1."
Monique announced the fundraising campaign, which has so far garnered nearly $25,000, and confirmed that all proceeds would go to Abigail's sister, who is now caring for the five children. "I am setting up this fundraiser for their five children in which the funds will go directly to Abigail's sister Alejandra Trevino," Monique stated. "She will take full custody of their children and raise and love them as her own. No kid should have to face this type of tragedy. Please be in prayer for their kids and family during these devastating times."