Family Killed in I-80 Accident Honored at Funeral

KHASTV- A little more than a week ago, 2 central Nebraska mothers–sisters– and two of their children were killed after hitting ice on interstate 80 near Henderson. Monday their families and the Hastings community said goodbye.

Every pew in St. Cecilia's was filled Monday morning with some mourners even kneeling on the floor or lining the walls as they said goodbye to sisters Martha Gabriela Machado and Socorro Sepulveda and their children Zoe Machado and Dominic Perez.

The dreary weather outside Monday mimicked the mourning of a community as hundreds gathered at Saint Cecilia's in Hastings bonding together in their grief.

Friends and family said goodbye to 31– year–old Martha Gabriela Machado, affectionately known as Gaby, her 3–year–old daughter Zoe and to 22–year–old Socorro Sepulveda or "Suky" and her two–month–old son Dominic Perez.

But only two caskets were buried Monday as each mother shared her final resting place with a child at her side.

The four died November 20th as they hit an icy patch on Interstate 80 that sent them through the median and head on into a semi.

Since then the community has banded together to support the family.

"It's very touching to see families coming together. There's no black or white or Cuban, Mexican or anything like that. It's just people helping each other in a time of need," said Raquel Maar.

And bracing against the cold and through the tears, mourners held each other up – emotionally and financially.

Maar said donations have helped pay for the majority of the funeral.

"There's still some charges left. We're still not sure how we're gonna, you know, if we don't have enough money whose gonna pay for that or anything," said Maar.

But Monday it's about saying goodbye to two mothers and their children taken too soon.

Both Gabriela and Socorro had other children - Gabriela an 11–year–old son and Socorro two sons ages three and a two–years–old.

Raquel Maar said any donations left over after the funeral expenses are covered will go to those three surviving children.

You can send all donations to Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home in Hastings.