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5-year-old San boy dead after rollover crash in Mexico; family struggles to bring his body home

One week before Zachary Reyna was supposed to start kindergarten, he was killed in a rollover crash in Mexico. A GoFundMe has been set up to help lay him to rest.

SAN ANTONIO — A single mother is struggling to bring her son’s body home to San Antonio. Zachary Reyna, 5, was killed in a rollover crash in Mexico on August 4.

“He was about to start kindergarten at Collier Elementary,” said Zachary’s aunt, Jennifer Navarro. “He was excited, just like all kids are. he was happy and wanted to follow his brothers everywhere and do what they are doing."

Jennifer says her nephew was in Mexico with his grandparents and brother Malaki Reyna, 7, who also attends Collier Elementary School.

“They were coming back from a church convention,” she said. “On the way over, they had an accident with an 18-wheeler. It happened near Matehuala, between San Luis Potosi and Monterrey. The grandparents were taken to a hospital in San Luis Potosi, but Zachary was taken to a mortuary in Monterrey. Malaki wasn’t hurt, but he is 7 years old and basically saw everything that happened.”

Julie Reyna rushed to Mexico as soon as she learned of the crash, Jennifer says.

“She’s just broken,” said Jennifer. “It’s hard to just hear her voice because you can just hear it – that she is hurt. Knowing that it’s her son, as a mom, you just can’t imagine something like that.”

The process of transporting Zachary’s body home has been complicated, according to loved ones. 

“Having his birth certificate translated in Spanish, then needing a DNA test because of his condition after the cash,” said Jennifer. “The DNA test took 16 hours. She had to find a funeral home that can transport his body to the US, and she is working with a US Consulate.”

“Everything needs to be paid upfront,” added Lupe Camacho, who is a family friend. “She’s a single mother with four surviving sons. She recently had surgery and had been out of work, so this is a tragic situation for the whole family.”

Jennifer hopes her nephew is laid to rest in San Antonio soon so her family can begin grieving.

“What do you say to his cousins that are his age, how do you explain it to them?” Jennifer asked. “It’s a lot.”

On Friday, a spokesperson for Harlandale Independent School District released the following statement.

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic loss of one of our students. Our hearts go out to his family as they navigate this unimaginable loss. We have been working closely with the campus to provide support and resources to students and staff during this difficult time. His legacy will forever be a part of our district, and his memory will live on through the kindness and joy he brought to everyone he encountered.”

A plate sale will be held on Saturday, August 10, at 803 Southwest Military Drive. Starting at 11 a.m., people can pick up a BBQ chicken plate to support the family.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help lay Zachary to rest. His body arrived in San Antonio Saturday morning. 

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