The small white casket was blessed tonight as it was brought into St. Francis de Assisi Church in East Palo Alto.
The church was filled members of the Torres family and others who came to mourn the loss of a life lost too soon. Tears flowed freely as the priest called for the family not to feel anger at her loss, but to remember her with fondness.
Sioreli Torres Zamora was killed as she walked in the crosswalk at Bay Road and Gloria Way, heading to the Green Oaks Academy last Wednesday. She was struck by a teacher driving to another school. East Palo Alto Mayor Carlos Romero came to the funeral mass.
"Were here both to honoring both Sioreli and were also here helping the family to grieve," said Romero.
He says he doesn't see the anger here just the loss.
"What we see here is a grieving community not an angry community," said Romero.
Many who came to the mass are of a different opinion. The teacher who was driving has not been charged by police. Ignacio Rivera's daughter was injured near the same intersection eight years ago by a hit and run driver who was never found. He says like him, the family wants justice.
"They're really, really angry. They already talked to one the radio station. They going to get good lawyers to do something," said Rivera.
Friends and family demonstrated their anger last Friday in front of the East Palo Alto police station. They want more traffic lights near the school. Police say the accident is still under investigation.
Meanwhile, the Torres family is preparing to bury their daughter. Sioreli would have celebrated her 7th birthday on Sunday. She will be buried Tuesday at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Menlo Park.
