A church and a community have rallied round to help those affected by a crash in Redondo Beach that killed four people dear to them.
An allegeldy impaired driver car slammed into a group of parishioners just leaving St. James Catholic Church, where a children's Christmas concert was held on December 17.
A memorial continues to grow outside the crash site, while thousands of dollars have been donated to help victims.
Father Francis Aguilar says the community's support has been overwhelming, and was thankful the church has been able to help Glen Gaza, whose 6-year-old son Samuel and wife Martha died in the Dec. 17 incident.
"He had just attended one of our cornerstone retreats for men. He conveyed to another person that had he not gone to that retreat, then he would not have had the preparation and the wherewithal to deal with the tragedy of what took place," Fr Aguilar said.
The priest also hopes that, given time, those affected by the tragedy can recover.
"Our world is filled with tragedy and pain but it's also a world that is filled with joy, peace and fulfillment and God exists in both worlds," Fr Aguilar said.
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Simone Angiolini is one of those parishoners still trying to come to terms with the death of his fellow worshippers.
"I guess everyday is like a re-understanding deeper (of) what i felt that moment. I felt that first of all it's a mystery. How can you accept or bear the death of Sam (Gaza)?" Angiolini said. "I just want to pray for them and for us too, so we can remember."
The driver accused of killing four people and injuring a dozen others in the crash allegedly driving under the influence of prescription medication pleaded not guilty last month.
Margo Bronstein, 56, has been charged with four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one count of driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
