According to the Chihuahua, Mexico newspaper Tiempo, the accident occurred near the city of Parral in northern Mexico. Avitia, 42, was traveling in a black Chevrolet Suburban from San José de la Boca, Durango to El Paso, Texas. Her four-year-old daughter Dalia and two-year-old son Carlos along with Chairez Consuelo Guzman and the driver of the vehicle, Carlos Avila Palacios, 78 , were injured.

An immigration attorney, Avitia was board chair of Alpha Public Schools, a network of public charter college preparatory secondary schools founded in 2010.

She graduated from Stanford University in 1993, with a B.A. in Political Science and received her law degree in public interest and social justice law from Santa Clara University’s School of Law. She also served on the board of the Somos Mayfair community organization.

Rep. Lofgren issued the following statement:

“It is with profound sadness that I and my office learned the news of the passing of our former colleague and friend Cindy Avitia. All of us who knew and worked with Cindy are shocked and devastated by her passing.

“Cindy was uncommonly bright, dedicated and caring. I valued her dedication to family, community and justice. During the four years Cindy served on my San Jose staff I learned to admire not only her intelligence and education but her tremendous commitment to community. My prayers are with her husband, Jose, her two beautiful young children, her parents, and all Cindy’s family, friends and colleagues who are mourning her loss.

“As those of us who knew Cindy grieve her tragic loss, we can take pride in the fact that during her short life she did more to promote strong, caring families in our community and advance the cause of justice than many people accomplish in a lifetime dedicated to public service. I am rocked by the tragic news of her passing and feel her loss acutely. I will never forget her.”