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Tucson needs to help family after Memorial weekend deaths

Memorial Day weekend allowed families and friends to spend time together. Some recognized those lost in battle for our nation's freedom. Most probably took part in heavy imbibing and hot dog grilling. The Berliew family of Tucson, however, grieved over the death of four family members. Now, they don't have enough money to bury them.

On the evening of May 28, at around 6 p.m., driving eastbound on Highway 60 towards Show Low, Luis Rivera lost control of his mid-size car. While trying to regain control, he overcorrected and slid into a Ford 350, weighing a full ton, going the other way.

Rivera, 33, his wife Tina, 31, and children Luis Jr., 11, and Ashley, 5, all died. From the Ford truck, an elderly woman riding in the passenger seat was ejected and killed while the driver and another passenger were airlifted to Show Low before being transferred to Flagstaff Medical Center. Both were in serious condition upon reaching FMC. Neither the FMC nor Show Low DPS Officer Jim Bee would release the patients' current conditions.

Sadly, the Rivera family had no life or car insurance and left no property. The result is that their surviving family, the Berliews, cannot raise enough money to bury the Rivera family. For the moment, the Riveras are at Owens Mortuary in Show Low.

Kristi Berliew said that to cremate and bury the Riveras in Tucson will cost about $5,000. Without the necessary funds, the Riveras will remain in the Owens Mortuary. Tucson Bank One has set up an account for donations. The Berliews' church, New Life Wesleyan Christian Center Church located here in Tucson, and the Owens Mortuary have both donated. However, more money is needed.

Mrs. Berliew has not contacted me urging me to write this article. No one has pushed me to write it. My motivation was my sense of community and humanity. Hearts hang heavy with the loss of family members, especially a whole family that was so young. Imagine losing an 11-year-old nephew and 5-year-old niece. Crushing despair is all I can think of. On top of that loss, envision not having the monetary capability to lay the poor souls to rest.

Pain is so prevalent in our society today. Political problems, natural disasters, personal hardships and day-to-day strains make life unbearable at times. Placing the weight of four unburied family members on top of all that is depressing.

As readers, you probably don't know the family - who they were, what they did for a living, or even what made them smile, but they were humans and did have smiles all their own. Little Luis Jr. and Ashley were so young, their lives full of chance and opportunity. Luis and Tina were young parents, surely looking ahead to greater things. All of that is over now and, more tragically, they can't move on in the afterlife until being laid to rest.

Now, because these words have met your eyes and have been taken home in your hearts and minds, you can make an impact in the lives of members of your community. The Old Pueblo is a city of mixed cultures, diverse backgrounds, and different hopes, fears and joys. However, being good-hearted people connects us all. Knowing how your neighbors grieve and helping lift them up in their time of need is critical to making life livable.

Each of you, no matter how tight your budget, can do something for the Berliews. It takes no more than a stop at any area Bank One. With the donation of each dollar, the Rivera family comes closer to being laid to rest. $5,000 for a community as strong as ours is nothing, but to the Berliews, it is insurmountable. If you wish to help with funeral expenses, the Berliew family prays that you donate at any Bank One to account number 1321-0832. Remember how short this life is and what importance money has for you. Give and be praised. Life is too short not to aid those in such need.

Nick Zeckets is a political science and near eastern studies junior. He can be reached at editor@wildcat.arizona.edu.