San Jose family shares loss of mother, baby killed in highway 4-car crash: 'Life was ripped away'

"Ivana was a light, she lit up every room she walked into she held a lot of space for people,"

"She was my baby, she don't drive, I take her to work,"

"Everything felt like it was falling into place for her and then her life was ripped away,"

"We want to have something bright to celebrate her life, instead of wearing black, we're going to be wearing bright colors, flowers or something that Ivana would like to be remembered by,"

Ivana Balistreri, 29, and her one-year-old daughter Lilliana died in a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 87 past the Curtner exit in San Jose. Family members placed photos, flowers and shoes side by side at their home to honor them. Ivana was described as a bright, creative soul, the youngest of four siblings, recently engaged, and often driven to work by family. Lilliana would have turned two in two weeks and was the first girl in the family in 18 years. The family is asking the community for any information to find answers, seek some closure and help prevent future tragedies, and plans a bright celebration of Ivana's life.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco