4-year-old girl dies after father's car hit by suspected drunk driver

QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. (KTVK/KPHO/Gray News) – A 4-year-old girl from Arizona died in her parents' arms at the hospital a day after being seriously injured in a one-way car crash presumed drunk.

Lily Moster, 4, is remembered as a ray of sunshine. Her tragic and sudden death in a multi-vehicle crash left a giant hole in the hearts of everyone who knew her, Arizona's Family reports.

“She is a treasure to the family. She’s just a sweet little fire-eater,” said Lily’s grandfather, Dan Smith.

Smith says the entire family is struggling to come to terms with the loss of the 4-year-old.

“Dad feels guilty for no reason. It’s not his fault, but they’re struggling,” Smith said. “I'm slowly settling in when mum first comes home from hospital and Lily isn't there, it was a heartbreaking moment.”

Lily's father, Daniel Moster, was driving the little girl and her 6-year-old brother, Luke, home after swimming lessons Wednesday, according to Smith. Both children were sitting in the back seat in car seats.

Queen Creek officials say Moster was stopped at a stop sign around 11:30 a.m. when his minivan was struck from behind by a driver of a black Jeep Wrangler going nearly 60 mph. Video from the scene shows severe damage to the rear of the van.

“Dad says at first he was dizzy and disoriented. When he recognized his surroundings, he quickly went to get the children out of the car. In fact, a passerby went to the children's house first, cut the seat belts and pulled Lily's brother out. Lily was unconscious,” Smith said.

Lily's brother and father were not seriously injured in the crash, but the 4-year-old girl was taken to hospital in critical condition. She died Thursday evening in the arms of her parents.

“It was the sweetest thing. They took all the equipment off so mommy and daddy could really hold her like a baby. They cried and hugged her when she died,” Smith said.

The grandfather says that Lily and her brother were best friends.

“They were very close. She idolized her brother,” Smith said. “When his brother's favorite color became red, all of a sudden his favorite color became red.”

The Mosters say they are grateful to the strangers who stepped in to help at the scene. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family pay Lily's medical bills and, now, make funeral arrangements.

“We will miss her dearly, but she will live on with us in our hearts,” Smith said. “They really hold on to Luke because he’s what they have left.”

Investigators identified the driver of the Jeep Wrangler as 33-year-old Jason Sanchez. They say he didn't try to brake before the crash and had a blood alcohol level of 0.111, almost 1.5 times the legal limit.

According to court documents, Sanchez admitted to drinking three or four beers at the San Tan Mountain Casino, where he was driving home from.

Sanchez was booked into the Pinal County Jail the day of the crash on charges of aggravated assault and driving under the influence. Since Lily did not survive, he now also faces a second-degree murder charge.

Sanchez's bond was set at $100,000.

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