A San Antonio family is pleading with drivers to slow down on the roads after the tragic death of 52-year-old Graciela Angel. She was killed when a car, involved in an accident, was pushed onto the sidewalk where she was walking. Angel's daughters are emphasizing the difference that just a single second of patience could have made in preventing their mother's untimely death. “One second, if they waited one second to turn, it could have saved my mom's life,” Selina Angel lamented in a statement obtained by KENS 5.

The heartbreaking incident occurred on April 21 on a sidewalk in the 9800 block of Potranco Road. Angel, described by her family as a vibrant and loving soul, was looking forward to retiring the following month after a dedicated 25-year career at AT&T. Her daughters, now grappling with their loss, have started a GoFundMe to manage funeral costs—an endeavor that has already raised over $14,000. "Nobody plans for such a tragedy," Monique Angel told reporters from KENS 5.

The Angel family also intends to host a fundraiser at the Buffalo Wild Wings at Westover Marketplace. Supporters are encouraged to mention Graciela Angel's name, as a portion of the sales will be donated to the family to aid with expenses. Memories of her generous spirit and ever-present smile have been the solace for those she left behind. “If you ask anyone who knew her, anyone who was lucky enough to know her, she was always smiling too. Big in her faith, and she was just always making sure that everybody was happy,” Monique Angel recalled in her statement to KENS 5.

Amidst their pain, the Angels are using their mother's story to issue a critical reminder about road safety. “Just a second could have saved her," Monique Angel told KSAT. With motor vehicle-pedestrian accidents on the rise in San Antonio, the family's message is timely and resonates with a community increasingly concerned with pedestrian safety. According to the heartfelt words of her daughters, Graciela Angel's life may have ended too soon, but their efforts to honor her memory and protect others continue unabated.