UUPDATE - A teenage girl remains hospitalized, following a car crash that took the life of her mother.
Police say the crash was caused by an off-duty Kern County firefighter, who was drunk.
Tonight, the victims' family and friends are trying to make sense of this senseless tragedy.
41-year-old michelle maxwell was the apple of her father's eye.
"To be absent from the body is to be with the Lord, and that's where she's at, we know it," said Joe Seberger, Michelle's father. "That makes it bearable."
She doted on her parents, her husband of more than 20-years and their two daughters, 15-year-old Michaela and 20-year-old Kathryn.
"If anybody could realize what love there was between michelle and those two girls, she lived for those two girls," said Michelle's mother Marceline Seberger.
Michelle was taken from her family in a violent crash Tuesday night on Panama Lane and Ashe Road.
Her daughter Michaela, who had her learner's permit, was driving when police say Mitchell Green, an off-duty Kern County firefighter, ran a red light and broadsided the maxwell's car.
Police say green was drunk.
Michelle died on impact and Michaela was taken to the hospital with a broken wrist, leg and other injuries unaware of what happened to her mom.
"I don't know what it's going to do to Michaela, I really don't."
Friends say Michelle Maxwell was a friend to everyone and especially loved working with children.
"She just wanted to be part of people's lives. She loved showing her faith and always had a smile," said friend Jim Ranger.
Now, Michelle's family is focused on helping Michaela heal and stopping others from drinking and driving.
"I'm angry. there's nothing in this world... they can't pick up the phone or get a cab... they don't need to get in the car and take someone's life."
Mitchell Green was transferred to University Medical Center in Fresno, where he's in critical condition in the burn unit.
He's expected to face DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges when he's released.
A fund has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses for Michelle Maxwell.
Donations can be made at Grace Assembly of God Church at 2800 Larson Lane in Bakersfield or they can be sent to P.O. Box 41255, Bakersfield, CA 93384.
An off-duty Kern County firefighter will be charged with a felony D.U.I. and manslaughter after running a red light Tuesday night and killing a 41-year-old Bakersfield woman, Bakersfield Poice said.
Investigators say Michelle Maxwell died instantly upon impact. Maxwell's daughter Michaela just got her learner's permit and was driving her mom to sign a quilt for a 15-year-old girl who died of cancer last week.
Maxwell's parents say they can't help but ask "why?"
"I'm 80 years old," Maxwell's mother, Marceline Seberger, said. "Why did she have to be taken? I don't have the answers. Only that a drunk had to take her out."
Seberger says her daughter and granddaughter were on their way to give condolences to Lauren Ashley Morton's family when they were struck by the allegedly drunked driver on Panama Lane and Ashe Road. Lauren, 15, lost her battle with leukemia last week after fighting the disease for seven years.
"Lauren Ashely's funeral is Saturday. That's why Michelle was on her way down there -- to sign a quilt," Seberger explained.
Witnesses told police 30-year-old Mitchell Green was driving well over the 55 mph speed limit and the impact was extreme.
The Maxwells' Hyundai "Spun seven revolutions before it came to rest," said BPD Sgt. Allan Abney.
Driver Michaela Maxwell, 15, just received her learner's permit and was taken to Kern Medical Center with moderate injuries, including a broken leg and wrist.
Green's red pickup slammed into a utility pole after the crash, causing it to go up in flames.
The off-duty firefighter was taken to Kern Medical Center and was in critical condition and later discharged from the Bakersfield hospital.
Kern Medical Center personnel said Green may have been transferred to another hospital. Green's friend, Crystal Eldridge, told 17 News Green is a "sweet and caring person" and said the incident was "totally out of line for him."
Michelle Maxwell's father says his daughter had a big heart and went back to school to become a teacher, then decided to become a medical technician so she could continue to help others.
"She was the apple of our eye," Joe Seberger said.
The accident tied up traffic and knocked out power for 2,100 homes and businesses, but the roads cleared and power was restored Wednesday afternoon.
A makeshift memorial was started at the crash site after news spread of Maxwell's death, and a fund has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses. Donations can be made at Grace Assembly of God Church, 2800 Larson Lane, Bakersfield, 93304, or P.O. Box 41255 Bakersfield, California 93384.
