Southwest student killed in collision By SILVIO J. PANTA, Staff Writer
Friday, February 22, 2008 11:01 PM PST
JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO
RIGHT: Belén Victoria Ramos, 18, rehearses for “High School Musical” with (from far left) Leslie Lopez and Denisse Dugan on Feb. 11 at Southwest High School in El Centro. Ramos was killed in a traffic accident Friday morning.
A Southwest High School senior died Friday morning when the vehicle she was driving crossed onto Evan Hewes Highway and was struck by a westbound motorist, authorities said.
Witnesses said Belén Victoria Ramos, 18, apparently failed to see oncoming traffic when she pulled out from southbound Bowker Road, California Highway Patrol Officer Richard Bird said.
Ramos, an El Centro resident who was on her way to school moments before the 8:31 a.m. crash unfolded, was stopped at the intersection when she crossed, the officer said.
The second motorist, 21-year-old Santiago Fregoso of Holtville, was heading west on Evan Hewes Highway in his Ford Ranger pickup. It appeared that Ramos crossed the intersection to go onto Bowker Road.
“She just rolled out in front of him,” Bird said.
Fregoso complained of pain to his right ankle but was taken by family members to an undisclosed location.
Firefighters with the Imperial County Fire Department had to extricate Ramos from the wreckage of her compact car as a deputy coroner was called to the scene.
Ramos was highly regarded by her classmates and teachers who were stunned by the news of her passing.
Ramos was an active member of the Southwest Academy of Visual and Performing Arts program at Southwest High for the past four years. She had just finished an encore stage performance of “High School Musical” on Tuesday, program director Debi Buchanan said.
Ramos, Buchanan said, had been planning to attend school on the East Coast.
“She had great plans for herself and she was a great example for other students,” Buchanan said of Ramos. “She followed through always and she was just a precious little soul. I’m just heartbroken.”
" The sun, moon, rain, thunder, and star she was the best and always is the best. NO 1 can be like her and act like how she was. We'll just have to remember that she wants us to go on with our lifes. Plus she will see us and her family for where she is shes our gardian angle. For her parents she'll be visiting you.
"
A.K.A Silents wrote on Mar 4, 2008 10:54 AM:
" The sun, moon, rain, thunder, and star she was the best and always is the best. NO can be like her and act like how she was. We'll just have to remember that she wants us to go on with our lifes. Plus she will see us and her family for where she is shes our gardian angle.
LOVE ALWAYS
Maria C Spillers "
mp3 wrote on Feb 28, 2008 5:43 PM:
" passionate, talented, and creative. Belen was too perfect for this world. My sincerest condolences to the Ramos family "
Ryan Jeffries wrote on Feb 28, 2008 3:19 PM:
" Belen was an excellent example of what we all should strive to be . . . hard working, dedicated, respectful, polite, passionate and friendly . . . Such a loss. Words cannot begin to reach how sorry I am for the Ramos Family. "
Prov3 wrote on Feb 28, 2008 2:47 PM:
" Although Belen was taking far too soon and didn't have the chance to experience what we may consider to be a "full" life, we need to realize that life isn't always about the number of years spent on this Earth, but about the number of lives we touch while we're here. And it is obvious to me from reading these posts that this bright, beautiful young woman touched the lives of many around her, from her close friends, classmates and teachers, to those that never personally knew her. The memory of Belen will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of all that loved her, and in her writings as well. May you rest in peace, Belen. "
Bev wrote on Feb 28, 2008 6:09 AM:
" I received this in an e-mail this morning and this is one worry I have had with my children is losing one of them in an accident. Please watch this in your spare time. It will help other parents talk to their children about the safety in driving. http://www.journeysafe.com/Resources_And_Downloads/presentation.asp
I am truly sorry about the family's loss. God be with you. "
kccason wrote on Feb 27, 2008 7:17 PM:
" hi, my name is kc. i work in the shs theatre..
i see most of the practices of all the plays..i worked the spotlight for the little christmas tree play[which she was in], and i saw high school musical, she did awesome. i didnt know her personally but i knew MANY that did. for one of the HSM practices i was there, she asked to use my cell phone for a quick second, and even though i didnt know her it was ok. from what i saw and heard she was a very smart girl, funny, kind and caring, always had a smile on her face causing many others to smile.. she would have won the mrs. shs pagent, her dance was awesome. seeing all my friends cry made me cry too, because friends are like family, and when your family is crying.. you cry, even if you dont understand..then i go home and my neighbor arla ide [mrs. ide] holds me in her arms crying, and that makes me cry too..she was very close to her family and visited them recently. mr. and mrs. ramos.. i am very sorry for your loss,God needed another great person for his army of angels "
heart broken wrote on Feb 27, 2008 4:44 PM:
" Belen, I really admire you. You always made me laugh and smile. Belen was raised well, because she was a nice, bright,genuine person. She is a diamond. She is a star. She lived life the fullest and accomplished great things at such a young age. I am very sorry for her loss, she was a great friend of mine. I am glad I got to know her for the past four years in high school. Love You. "
Maria Parsa wrote on Feb 27, 2008 2:53 PM:
" I am sooooooooo SAD and I am so deeply sorry for your lose Mr. and Mrs. Ramos and Angel Belen's family.
She will be watching all of you from the above and she is your angel. I just lost my brother-in-law in 2005 and he was a great person, but I have prove that he is watching for us and will answer to any prayers. God Bless Belen and Nasrat Parsa RIP!!! "
maria elena meraz wrote on Feb 27, 2008 9:39 AM:
" I know that no words of comfort will ever take the pain that Belen's fam. is going through. I too, lost my son Luis (elmo) Meraz through a car accident 3 years ago (9/22/03). He was also 18 yrs. The one sentence that has really stayed with me was that "God needed another great person for his army of angels" I personally did not know Belen, but from all the good things that I have heard from co-workers, here at SHS, I know that she is also a chosen one. I've been praying God for lot of strengh for fam.,friends because that will keep us in a sane state of mind. Our hearts will keep hurting for ever and every time someone else is chosen, our hearts will bleed again. Parents that have gone through this ordeal I ask to keep this family in your prayers and make a donation in the name of your dear one. Thank you. God Bless You All. "
starpower85 wrote on Feb 27, 2008 9:13 AM:
" this is just sad and in her seañior year my
condolences to the Ramos Family. "
vpina22 wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:04 AM:
" My prayers and condolences to the Ramos Family "
Dave Barlow wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:19 PM:
" I am absolutely heartbroken by this tragic news. I don’t have any words to explain the pain and regret I feel. It is too deep. What do you say when you find out a young girl you have admired and wished all the best feels you let her down by stupid mistakes made by a member of your company. I feel ultimately responsible.
Belen was the first winner in my publishing companies Young Authors program in the 12 –17 age bracket. The novel she wrote was an amazing feat told like a seasoned veteran. I knew she would have been a paragon to the industry. She was one of our biggest and brightest stars here at Wandering Sage Bookstore & More, formally Emerald Falcon Press.
She will be sorely missed. My prayers and sympathy are with her friends and family.
Belen I am sorry beyond words.
Dave
"
ximena06 wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:54 PM:
" NO HAY PALABRAS PARA DESCRIBIR EL DOLOR DE LA PARTIDA DE VELEN, LOS ESTUDIANTES Y EX-ESTUDIANTES DE SOUTH WEST HIGH, ESTRANARAN SU SONRIZA, Y CARISMA DE UNA DE LAS MEJORES ESTUDIANTES. "
Niixah 23 wrote on Feb 26, 2008 2:06 PM:
" Youll be missed
belen victoria ramos
you're in a better place
And for the family youll
always be in my paryers
and remeber she'll will
always be watching you from above
R.I.P Belen Victoria Ramos "
Kulikuli wrote on Feb 26, 2008 11:46 AM:
" Heaven must have needed another talented angel for that great musical in the sky. "
lamorra73 wrote on Feb 25, 2008 6:05 PM:
" I at south west high school I did not had the privilege of knowing Belen Ramos...but that day was horrid even to those of us who did not knew her the school felt so sad and cold as the news of her death went on through the day I couldn't stop feeling goose bumps all over my body through out the day tears came down my eyes as I thought of my two daughters my prayers and condolences to the Ramos family "
Jhonny wrote on Feb 25, 2008 4:41 PM:
" "My sincerest condolences to the Ramos family. I really know how it feels to lose a family member. And i think that parent should never have to bury their child." "
broken_lover wrote on Feb 25, 2008 1:28 PM:
" i really didnt knw belen but my friends did and to see thm cry made me cry rip belen "
awesomerosa17 wrote on Feb 24, 2008 11:17 PM:
" I am the sister of Santiago Fregoso, and we are truely sorry for what happened to Belen. My brother and my family are not hiding from no one ediazatty. In fact we want to attend to her funeral if her parents let us. Belen seems be a very bright, loving girl and we are sad that she died. I rushed over the Valley from Cal-State San Bernardino when I heard what happened that day. My prayers are with the Ramos family. Mr. and Mrs Ramos I am truely sorry for what happened. Belen was a year younger than I. As I walked home on Friday, my mom hugged me tight and cryed because I am her only daughter and she understands your pain. We have two brothers fighting in war in Iraq in this very moment, and on top of that we have lost a great angle, Belen. Our prayers are with your family. May God keep you in the Heavens, Belen! "
awesomerosa17 wrote on Feb 24, 2008 11:03 PM:
" I am the sister of Santiago Fregoso, and I am truely sorry for what happened to Belen. She seems to be a very loved young teen. I am currently in Cal-State San Bernardino and I rushed to be there with my brother that day. My family and brother are praying for Belen. Things like these should never happen to anyone. It wasn't my brothers or anyones fault to what happen to this young girl, God knows this. My brother is not hiding and in fact my whole family want to attend to her funeral. I have two of my brothers currently in Iraq and in top of that, this treable thing that happen to Belen. I give Belen's family my hugs and prayers. Your daughter Mr. and Mrs. Ramos was a great young girl that was around my age, and I am truely sorry for what happened. On friday when I went home my mom hugged me and cryed because I am her only daughter and she too felt sorry for what happened to Belen. May God take you in his kingdom Belen! "
vs wrote on Feb 24, 2008 7:04 PM:
" My sincerest regards. May the Lord give her parents and family the strength to deal with this terrible tragedy. "
jozz_rocks93 wrote on Feb 23, 2008 9:28 PM:
" we miss you dearly belen..
in our heart youll alyways be..
always missed never forgotten. "
broken_ska wrote on Feb 23, 2008 9:24 PM:
" i personally knew her. i went to the same school with her. we attended meadows.of course she was much younger. as i remember the accident...i still can't believe it! "
eroncal wrote on Feb 23, 2008 8:57 PM:
" I would hope that more people raise kids such as Belen. She was an amazing young lady with such a promising future. Mr. and Mrs. Ramos, I'm so sorry for your loss. Edward Roncal "
jazz626 wrote on Feb 23, 2008 8:26 PM:
" I cried that day, I didnt know her personally, but many friends did, and i couldnt stand to see them all cry, many of them left school early, couldnt take it, may you rest in peace Belen "
masterchief881 wrote on Feb 23, 2008 1:19 PM:
" very sad, my heart goes out to the family. you will be in my prayers tonight. "
kura1 wrote on Feb 23, 2008 1:11 PM:
" Ramos family my prayers. She is also an accomplished author, I am currently looking @ the book she published. Wow, never forget how this can happen to any of us. God Bless! "
MariR wrote on Feb 23, 2008 1:03 PM:
" She was the a great dancer, an AWSOME student, a hard worker, a daughter, and an amazing friend. I wouldn't have traded her for anything in the world. May my Pink Lady, fairy, and munckin rest in peace. Good-bye Belen. You will be missed. "
Starmaniack77 wrote on Feb 23, 2008 12:33 PM:
" I knew her brother, her mother, and herself...from way back in the day at Meadows. When I heard the tragic news Friday morning, it left me in shock. My prayers are with her, and her family, in this very difficult time.
[[BELEN, MAY ANGELES LEAD YOU IN... "
lirendon9 wrote on Feb 23, 2008 11:21 AM:
" my sincere condolence & prayers to the family.
"
kstar wrote on Feb 23, 2008 11:05 AM:
" we will all miss you belen...stay sweet, and never stop dancing.. "
sam88 wrote on Feb 23, 2008 10:59 AM:
" she was a great girl, i knew her for 3 years and there was one better... luv ya belen "
poop_val wrote on Feb 23, 2008 9:50 AM:
" you will be missed belen...hope youre in a better place sweetie "
cinoreah wrote on Feb 23, 2008 9:24 AM:
" My sincerest condolences to the Ramos family. A parent should never have to bury their child. "
thegarz wrote on Feb 23, 2008 8:48 AM:
" My wife works with Belen"s mother. If there was ever a perfect child, she was it. Keep the family in your prayers since they are going through a horrid time (as can be expected). This is a loss for all of us--I really believe this girl could have grown up to save the world--she was that intelligent, resourceful and talented. "
rfaulknr wrote on Feb 23, 2008 7:05 AM:
" So sad she seems like a wonderful person. She is very nice looking. Im so sorry to the family my prayers are with you all. "
newsguy wrote on Feb 23, 2008 12:52 AM:
" I felt like crying as I finished reading the article, sad story. "
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A.K.A Silents wrote on Mar 4, 2008 11:07 AM:
" The sun, moon, rain, thunder, and star she was the best and always is the best. NO 1 can be like her and act like how she was. We'll just have to remember that she wants us to go on with our lifes. Plus she will see us and her family for where she is shes our gardian angle. For her parents she'll be visiting you.
"