Community Corner

Law Enforcement, Tow Company Give Car to Family with Daughter Fighting Leukemia

Law enforcement officers and tow company employees on Christmas Eve gave a vehicle to a family with a daughter who is fighting leukemia, and who had their only car totaled by an uninsured motorist in November, a sheriff's detective said Thursday.

Rose Nunez is the mother of three children, Celeste, 17, Jade, 13, and and 3-year-old Joel, Detective James Snow of the San Bernardino County Auto Theft Task Force said in a statement.

"Jade is battling Leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant last week," Snow said. "Rose only had one car, which was shared between her and her daughter Celeste for trips to the hospital and for Celeste to get to college.

"Just before Thanksgiving, an uninsured motorist collided with Celeste while she was driving and their only car was totaled, leaving them no way to get to the hospital to see Jade, or for Celeste to get to school," Snow said. "In order to do these things, they have had to find rides or borrow a car."

Investigators from the task force reached out to tow companies they work with, and Air Expressway Towing in Victorville had a vehicle coming up for lien they were willing to donate to the family, Snow said.

Pepe's Towing donated a complete detailing of the vehicle, along with a brake job and mechanical inspection, Snow said.

On Dec. 24, task force and tow company personnel presented the vehicle to Rose at Loma Linda University Medical Center, where Jade was undergoing treatment, Snow said.

Bernice Henley at the sheriff's Highland Station is involved with charitable giving and she helped task force personnel connect with the Nunez family, Snow said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here