Friends Collect Money for Man Killed After Sunday Crash

“He was always making us laugh,” remembered Renee Meraz – adding her friend, Sergio Villa, 20, was a lot more than that.

Meraz told ABC-7 Villa was the type of guy who was always there for his friends.

“Anytime you needed a ride, anytime, he was always there,” she said.

Villa died Tuesday from injuries he suffered when he lost control and crashed his Honda Civic shortly before six a.m. Sunday.

The crash happened on I-10 East and Executive Boulevard.

Police say speed was a factor in the crash. Villa was ejected.

With his family unable to pay for a funeral, Villa’s friends came together Wednesday evening at a westside Walmart grocery store to collect money.

“He was really special to us and that’s why we’re supporting him,” said Daneida Ferreira. “We really want to raise the money to give him the proper burial he deserves.”

Ferreira said the friends will be back at the Walmart Neighborhood Market located at Redd and Resler Friday evening.

They have also set up a bank account for the family at Wells Fargo. The account number is 206894679 under the name Jose Luis Varela.