A beloved San Antonio business is grieving after one of its cherished staff members and two of their siblings died in a car crash on Thursday, June 25. The company has been sharing ways for its customers to support the affected families, including a fundraiser that has raised more than $71,000.
The Bread Box, located at 555 W. Bitters Road, posted on Facebook that its teammate Abigail “Abbie” Espinoza passed away alongside her older brother, Caleb, and younger sister, Eleora. The vehicular accident happened on U.S. 181, roughly an hour from the Alamo City, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Abigail was 25, Caleb was 23, and Eleora – a recent Harlandale Independent School District graduate – was 18, per the outlet.
“Abbie was a cherished member of The Bread Box family,” the sandwich and dessert shop said in a post. “She brought passion, talent, and kindness into our kitchen every day, and her smile and spirit will never be forgotten.”
The siblings were heading home after visiting the beach in Port Aransas, according to the San Antonio Express-News, a trip they often took together. They are survived by their mother, Candelaria Gomez; their father, Fernando Espinoza; and their 18-year-old brother, Joshua Espinoza. MySA reached out to Gomez before the article’s publication.
Since their passing, Gomez has shared the passions her children valued. On Facebook, she wrote that they loved water and music. She added that the youngest, Eleora, wanted to become a nurse and had the heart of one. By the time she finished high school, she was a registered certified medical assistant.
The Bread Box acknowledged that no family should ever have to endure this kind of loss. In recent messages, the company asked its customers to keep the Espinoza family in their prayers and to consider supporting a GoFundMe the family organized. The business shared photos of Abigail smiling, giggling and preparing meals at the restaurant. MySA reached out to The Bread Box for comment.
“We loved Abbie, and we will always remember her,” the company said. “Thank you for helping us surround her family with love, compassion, and support during this incredibly difficult time.”
Donated funds will support funeral and memorial expenses for the siblings, the fundraiser description states.
“No parent should ever have to bury their child-let alone all three,” the fundraiser reads. “Our hearts, along with those of our family and friends, have been shattered into a million pieces. We are still in disbelief and are doing our best to support one another through this unimaginable loss.”
As of Tuesday, June 30, the GoFundMe was roughly $20,000 short of the campaign target of $90,000.
“Any contribution, no matter the amount, is deeply appreciated,” the fundraiser website states. “If you are unable to give, we ask that you please keep our family in your prayers and share this post. Most of all, please hug your babies a little tighter today and never miss an opportunity to tell them you love them.”
This article originally published at San Antonio business honors ‘cherished’ staffer killed in crash.