SACRAMENTO — A Sacramento family is grieving two horrible tragedies in the month of January.
“It was just a lot,” said Mariam Seraya, 19.
Her family has known true heartache recently as they grieve the loss of three family members.
“It’s hard, but you have to get through and keep going,” said Mariam.
Two separate accidents this month that happened in North Highlands, both along Walerga Road, resulted in the death of Mariam’s mother and cousin.
The first incident happened on January 8, when Mariam’s cousin Anastasiya Seraya was fatally struck by a Union Pacific train .
The investigation into how this happened is still ongoing, but Mariam said it was common for her cousin to cross the tracks walking home. Her cause of death is still listed as “undetermined” by the Sacramento County coroner.
Then, on January 25, Mariam’s mother and Anastasiya’s aunt Violetta Seraya was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run.
The CHP is still investigating the crash and is working to track down the driver responsible who took off after crashing into Violetta around 9:30 p.m. as she crossed the road at Walerga Road and Elkhorn Boulevard. Mariam said her mom was likely walking home from the bus stop when she died.