A local mother prepares to say goodbye to her daughter, who was hit and killed while riding her motorcycle in northwest Bakersfield. 20-year-old Charla Wilkins will be laid to rest Friday.
Police have yet to make an arrest in connection with her death. And, Barbara Wilkins still has questions about what will happen to the driver who, police say, killed her daughter.
"I'd love to know how the investigation is going and what's going to be done. The justice part of it ain't going to help my baby, but it will help us through this grieving time. It's hard to accept she's gone," she said.
Wilkins' family, friends and even strangers were washing cars Thursday to help with funeral expenses.
When they come together again Friday, the Harley Owners Group will be there. Charla Wilkins was not a member of the military or a hog member. She was, however, a fellow rider, and riders will celebrate her life as they ride in her honor to the funeral.
"It's been a saying a long time in California. We're supposed to share the road with motorcycles, and I don't see a lot of that going on. People are just so involved with what's going on in their own lives, it's like they can't shelve anything when they get behind the wheel. They're doing too many things. We all need to slow down a little," said John Mason, Bakersfield Hog Group.
Police say 20-year-old Anna Marie Reynosa was driving north on Jewetta Avenue when she slammed into Wilkins Saturday night at Reina Road.
Witnesses told officers, Reynosa never braked and was using her cell phone. Police say Reynosa had some alcohol in her system.
It was below the .08 legal limit, but when it comes to underage drinkers, California is a zero tolerance state.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and Reynosa has not been arrested.
An account is set up in Charla Wilkins' name at Kern Schools Federal Credit Union to help with the funeral.
