FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — Stuffed animals, boarded-up walls and destroyed beds were left at the scene of a crash site that left two sisters dead.
A high-speed pursuit ended inside a bedroom with two young women inside, killing both of them.
The Yang family woke up to their worst nightmare becoming a reality Thursday morning.
“What can we do? We cannot do anything at all, but at this time, everybody is sad because we lost our daughters,” said Ronald Yang, the victims’ uncle.
18-year-old Eliza Yang and 25-year-old Mang Yang were killed after a car plowed into their bedroom late Wednesday evening. One was asleep, and the other was about to go to work.
“I have nothing at all, and if you hear this, please help me,” said the victim’s father.
The father clenched onto two large stuffed animals he pulled from the rubble as he surveyed the damage and what was left of his daughter’s room.
“He was looking around for his daughters but couldn’t find them. One of their heads was sticking out the front door because the car pushed her from the bedroom to the front door. The other one he cannot find because the wall and the bed were covering her up,” said Ronald Yang.
I found my daughter under the car. I tried to pull her out, but it was too late. When I pulled her out, she wasn’t breathing. I lost her.
Father of the two victims
The deadly crash was a result of a pursuit. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says it lasted less than 30 seconds.
“As soon as the pursuit started, it ended,” said Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputies say they were out on patrol when they saw a suspected gang disturbance.
Deputies drove closer to see what was going on when a known gang member, 18-year-old Adam Canales, got in a White Chevy Tahoe and sped away, starting the pursuit.
It ended when his SUV crashed into the family’s home at Cedar and Nevada, three streets down. Investigators say Canales was driving without a license and insurance. He was also under the influence of alcohol.
“If he were to have pulled over, this could’ve been avoided. He is the one responsible for the two innocent girls who died,” said Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni.
After the crash, Canales was able to get out of his vehicle and ran away but was found and arrested.
Eliza had just graduated from Fresno High, and Mang helped to support her family while in nursing school.
“They are very good kids. Nice daughters, one of them is working, and the other one had an interview a couple of days ago,” said Ronald Yang.
The whole family was inside at the time of impact, including six kids: three girls and three boys. Not only was the Yang family’s heart ripped apart, but their home at this point remains unlivable.
“Our heart is broken. We just don’t know what to do right now. So, anyone that can help us out to do a little donation, for us help us out for funeral for our daughter at this time,” said Ronald Yang.
The family has set up a GoFundMe for funeral expenses as well as to help repair the home.
UPDATE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2024
PRESS RELEASE FROM FRESNO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY:
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Adam Canales (18, of
Fresno) for the killing of sisters Eliza Yang (18, of Fresno) and Mang Yang (25, of Fresno) on October
16, 2024.
It is alleged that on October 16, 2024, Eliza and Mang Yang were in their bedroom when Mr. Canales drove a vehicle into their house, killing the sisters. This happened while he was evading a Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy who was attempting to pull him over.
The Felony Complaint filed in the Superior Court alleges that Adam Canales committed:
- Two (2) Counts of MURDER [Penal Code § 187];
- One (1) Count of EVADING AN OFFICER CAUSING DEATH [Vehicle Code § 2800.3(b)];
- One (1) Count of LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT – DEATH [Vehicle Code §
20001(b)(2)]
Mr. Canales is facing 30 years to-life in state prison if convicted of the listed charges.
Canales was arrested by officers of the Fresno Police Department on Wednesday, October 16,
2024, and remains in custody.
Canales is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, October 21,
2024, at 8:30 am in Department 32 of the Fresno Superior Court.
