SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — A tragic car crash on a San Jose freeway claimed the lives of 29-year-old Ivana Balistreri and her 1-year-old daughter, Lilliana, earlier this week.
At their San Jose home, the family placed photos, flowers and their shoes side by side.
“Ivana was a light, she lit up every room she walked into she held a lot of space for people,” her sister Francesca Alexander said.
PREVIOUS STORY: 2 killed, including child, in fiery San Jose 4-vehicle crash on Hwy 87: CHP
The CHP says that an adult and a child were killed and two others were injured in a fiery wreck late Tuesday morning on Northbound Hwy 87 in San Jose.
Ivana comes from a big Sicilian family and was the youngest of four siblings.
“She was my baby, she don’t drive, I take her to work,” her father, Aurelio Balistreri, said.
The crash happened on Tuesday on Highway 87, past the Curtner exit. The Balistreri family says Ivana’s fiancé was taking her to work.
“Everything felt like it was falling into place for her and then her life was ripped away,” Alexander said.
Ivana just got engaged in October, and in two weeks, her daughter would’ve celebrated her second birthday. Ilenia Balistreri is Ivana’s cousin and godmother to Lilli.
“Lilli was the first baby we’ve had – first girl in 18 years – so Ivana, we called it, we had the boy curse in our family but Ivana broke that boy curse,” Ilenia Balistreri said.
Ivana’s cousin Alexia Balistreri grew up with her as they were only two months apart. She described Ivana as a gentle, beautiful soul who loved being creative, quoting movies and the 70s.
“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,” Alexia Balistreri said.
The family is asking the community if anyone has information from the accident, to please reach out to them.
“I don’t think we’re ever going to get closure, but just something to kind of hold onto as to why something so senseless happened, and to prevent it from happening again,” Alexander said.
They created a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.
The California Highway Patrol says they’re still investigating what led up to the four-car crash. Two other people were also hurt.
Copyright © 2025 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Duncan Meyers, founder of BDJOBSTODAY, shares expert career advice, job market insights, and practical tips to help professionals grow and succeed in their careers.
