‘They don’t even know their mother passed’: 3 Borderland kids hospitalized after crash that killed mom

SANTA TERESA, New Mexico -- Over the weekend, one person was killed and six were injured when a truck crossed over the center lanes into on coming traffic and crashed into three other cars. The 4-car crash happened in Santa Teresa along McNutt Road.

Danielle Perez, 32, of El Paso, died at the scene and three of her kids were sent to the hospital.

"She was taken too soon," Perez's cousin Vanessa Gutierrez told ABC-7. "She has five children that are suffering and they don't know how to handle the loss of their mother. The three children that are in the hospital don't even know that their mother passed."

Gutierrez told ABC-7 that Danielle was hit head-on by the driver of the truck. Her 16-year-old daughter Alizae was in the front seat, her 13-year-old daughter Giselle and 3-year-old son Kingston were in the backseat.

Danielle's husband was driving in another car a few feet in front of them. Her other two children were with their uncle.

Gutierrez said Giselle suffered a broken femur bone and has already had surgery. Alizae suffered a punctured liver, internal bleeding and two 'mangled' legs. She was resuscitated that night and is scheduled for a third surgery Tuesday. Kingston suffered from a broken arm and is not able to move the right side of his body.

Danielle Perez grew up in Canutillo and met her husband Jerry at the age of 15, married him and had their five children. The familiy just bought a home and moved in 3 weeks ago.

Her family described Danielle as a kind person who loved her children.

"She had the best sense of humor, always laughing and that's the one thing that I can always say: her laughter is just always in my memory," said Gutierrez.

The family has a GoFundMe account set up to help with funeral and hospital expenses.

The family thanks the community for all the support and say they want justice for Dani.

The name of the driver responsible for causing the deadly crash has not been released and it's not clear if that person will be facing any charges.