The Crossing Church in Las Vegas was packed on Saturday as family, friends and neighbors gathered to say goodbye to 7-year-old Kenzlie Ann-Christine Cavasar, the little girl killed in a wrong-way head-on crash on U.S. Highway 95 earlier this month. Mourners released dozens of butterflies in the church courtyard, clutched photos and pageant sashes, and listened to songs that turned the service into a tender, tearful celebration of the second-grader's short life. Roughly 150 people attended, including classmates, teachers and neighbors who came to stand with the family.
Service, family memories and a butterfly release
As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Pastor Dan Ward opened the Feb. 27 service, which ended with relatives stepping outside to release dozens of butterflies into the courtyard. Kenzlie’s mother, Brittani Rowe, told the paper that her daughter “believed every grocery store trip was a runway,” and relatives said Kenzlie had earned thousands of dollars in college scholarships through beauty pageants.
Crash near Needles left three dead, five injured
The collision happened Feb. 1 on U.S. Highway 95 near Needles when a Chevy Silverado that family members said tried to pass a truck towing a trailer slammed head-on into an SUV, according to authorities and relatives. The San Bernardino County coroner identified the other adult victims as Robert and Wendy Bagozzi, and five people were airlifted to trauma centers, according to reporting by ABC7.
Remembering a bright second-grader
Kenzlie was a second-grader at Rogers Elementary, had been accepted into a gifted-and-talented program and held titles in the National American Miss pageant, relatives told local reporters. Her teacher, Ann Sarmiento, attended the service and joined family members in remembering a child who loved dressing up and performing for others, per coverage by KLAS via Yahoo.
Investigation and legal questions
The California Highway Patrol’s Needles office is investigating the collision, and a CHP spokesperson told authorities they may recommend criminal charges once the probe is complete, the Review-Journal reports. A summary report reviewed by the paper indicates the Bagozzis were wearing seat belts while the driver and passengers in the Silverado were not, a detail authorities said could factor into the agency’s final recommendations.
In a statement to People, the family asked for privacy as they grieve and said they hope Kenzlie’s death prompts greater attention to child safety and careful driving on rural highways. They added that Kenzlie’s “light continues to shine” and said the family will focus on educating others about keeping children safe when traveling.
