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Yolanda Pacheco, 22, of Mount Holly, died on Thursday, Mar. 28 when a car crashed into her SUV in Hamilton Township. A state police spokesperson said troopers responded to the crash on Black Horse Pike near the Penny Pot community at around 12:26 a.m.
A GoFundMe page had raised more than $21,000 from at least 435 donations as of Wednesday, Apr. 3.
"We are all heartbroken and left to pick up the pieces to give her a deserving homecoming," Pacheco's mother Patricia Helmick wrote on the GoFundMe page. "She was a great daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, and friend to her loved ones."
Pacheco was a psychology major at Stockton University. Her GoFundMe page said she was expected to graduate with a bachelor's degree in May.
Stockton sent an email to the university announcing Pacheco's death.
"On behalf of the Stockton University administration, I offer my deepest condolences to Yolanda’s friends and family, which includes her sister Yesenia Pacheco, coordinator of student transitions access and retention," wrote Stockton vice president of student affairs Christopher Catching.
The GoFundMe page claimed Pacheco was killed by a drunk driver. Police have not announced any charges in the crash.
Investigators said Pacheco was driving a Ford SUV west on Black Horse Pike around milepost 37.2. A Toyota car driven by a 25-year-old Mays Landing woman crashed into the rear of Pacheco's Ford.
Pacheco's SUV went off the road, overturned, and hit three parked cars. The Toyota driver and a 27-year-old woman from Egg Harbor City who was a passenger in Pacheco's SUV suffered moderate injuries.
Helmick said her daughter had "a great heart," a "bubbly personality," and would help anyone who needed it.
"Her infectious laugh brought joy to all those around her," wrote Helmick. "She was loved by so many. Losing someone so young and unexpected has caused financial hardship for her family.
"We are now left to plan a funeral instead of a graduation party. No parent should have to go through this."
A service for Pacheco will be held at Lee Funeral Home on High Street in Mount Holly from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 5.
You can click here to see Yolanda Pacheco's GoFundMe page.
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