Christina Freitas and Nevaeh Beyer: Mother and Daughter Died January 21, 2024
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Christina Freitas
On January 21, 2024, Christina Freitas and Nevaeh Beyer, a mother and her daughter, were taken from our lives far sooner than ever imagined. Passing as one, in a single instant, they take with them the light of two bright futures that can never be renewed. We survive this sorrow knowing that those who pass from our sight will never pass from our lives so long as we hold them in our hearts.
Christina (42), born in Arcata, CA on October 16, 1981, grew up in Rio Dell, CA after moving from Smith River. She attended Rio Dell Elementary School and graduated from Fortuna High School. Having a kind and caring personality, and a spirit filled with fun and love, she made friends easily. She was able to see, and even enhance, the best qualities in those around her. Hers was a love and a heart that will be forever missed by all who knew her.
Nevaeh Beyer (9), born in Fortuna, CA on November 11, 2014, lived in Rio Dell with her mother Christina and attended Rio Dell Elementary School. She was a happy and friendly third-grade student enjoying nothing more than being with her friends and making her parents and grandparents laugh. She was smart, independent, funny, and loved by all who knew her. Her infectious smile lit more hearts than she could ever have known. Playing with her dog, riding horses, and enjoying her family are only a few of the things she enjoyed during her short but full life.
Neveah Beyer
Christina is survived by Linda Freitas (mother), Joe Freitas and Mericia Melo (father & girlfriend), Cliff, Liz, Logan, and Cameron Freitas (brother & family), Jason Freitas and Sidney Melendy (brother & girlfriend), Joe Enes (uncle), Natal Mendes (aunt), Helio Mendes (uncle), and numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Nevaeh is survived by Jacob P. Beyer (father), siblings: Jacob, Brody, and Brooklyn Beyer,
Tena Beyer (grandmother), Robert Beyer (grandfather), Linda Freitas (grandmother), Joe Freitas (grandfather), Cliff Freitas (uncle), Jason Freitas (uncle), Liz Freitas (aunt), Jessica Beyer (aunt), Chace Pancoast (uncle), Joseph Beyer (uncle), Nadie Roop (aunt), and cousins: Logan and Cameron Freitas, Kaiden Martin, Dylan Barmlett, Aries Korbly, and Bryce Pancoast.
Funeral services will be held at Ferndale Catholic Church on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10am, with a private interment to follow at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna.
A celebration of Christina’s and Nevaeh’s life will be held after at Fortuna Fire Department.
The tears we shed in remembering lives lost
Remind the living of loves true cost
Though I know this is not the end
Until I see you again, my heart cannot mend.
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Both so beautiful on your horse-wish you got to be here longer.
So sorry for your tragic loss.
May you remember their love, the things that made them shine, and may you treasure each other as you move through this time.
They ever figure out what the other driver was doing in that lane?
From numerous witnesses, he was seen leaving the bar before getting on to the wrong side of the highway.
did they every release the tacoma drivers name
Condolences to the family. Needless to say that this is a tragedy.
If what Jon Beck say its true, the family should file a report with the ABC against the bar. There are consequences, suspension &/or removal of a liquor license, for serving inebriated customers w/o holding on to their car keys.
Let’s be real here, no one is drunk enough to hop on incorrect side of road & head on collide. This was likely a very intentional act & very tragic.
Obviously, you have never heard of Pedro Abad from New Jersey.
It happens more often than you know.
That’s exactly what I thought that maybe he was so pissed off to cut him off and tried to take his keys at the bar that he didn’t care the two people that I talked to that passed him first and called 911 we’re in the other lane he was in the fast lane. So my guess is Christina was the unlucky One being she was in the fast lane
Was there a press release as to the identity of the other driver? I haven’t seen one.
RIGHT I THINK IS WEIRD THEY HAVENT RELEASED THAT DRIVERS NAME
It’s probably worried about family and friends of Christina and Nevaeh maybe taking it out on the family of the other driver. ?idk just a thought
Starting to think it is a connected family or someone associated with the bar they came from. That place needs to be sued. It is against the law in California to over serve any individual alcohol, and from the reports made, they were beyond intoxicated and still ordering drinks.
The lawyers will do just fine.
The investigation is likely still ongoing. If someone wasn’t able to control their alcohol consumption and made the tragic mistake to drive, they cannot be prosecuted. Placing anyone else at fault is a very complicated matter and should be the job of police and investigators. My sincerest condolences to the family, loved ones, and anyone connected to this horrific tragedy.
You better talk to a lawyer before saying “if someone wasn’t able to control their alcohol consumption and made the tragic mistake to drive, they cannot be prosecuted.” You’re just setting up the context for another tragedy. A dose of shame and public remorse from you is called for. A few minutes of occasional deep shame is good for the soul. Trust me.
Isn’t the guy dead? Hard to prosecute….
The bartender who served him those drinks isn’t dead. He, and the bar owner can be prosecuted.
Or she!
That’s why the bar should be held accountable
When they wrote “They cannot be prosecuted..” writer was referring to he bar that served the alcohol.
No, I was referring to the person driving under the influence. IAmARobot is correct.
What bar? Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought he was south of Fortuna heading north
There is a bar in Rio Dell
Yes that’s is true i heard that the bartender try to get his keys… The bartender should have called the cop I feel the bartender should be held accountable for this cause it’s the bartender responsibility to cut off drinks when peoplehave had too many plus it’s the bartender responsibility to also call the cops and try to get the keys. The bartender DID NOT FOR UNKNOWN REASON I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS TRAGEDY if they have been a responsible bartender & followed ABC law & LAW. THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPEN I agree the family should turn that bar into the ABC also press charges on the bartender.
You know no matter how you look at it it just ain’t right the guy leaves the bar drunk right? He’s local correct? Still gets on the wrong side of the freeway and on an off-ramp that he doesn’t realize is an off-ramp? I’ve never tried driving drunk maybe that’s why I don’t understand how anybody no matter how fubar doesn’t f****** realize they’re on the wrong side of the freeway or even what freeway they’re on obviously because maybe they thought it was a two-way? I don’t know all I can do to get over it and get through it to tell myself it was their time and God needed them for something else in another life and time.
The driver that caused the accident was likely our next door neighbor. No erratic behaviors, and he was generally kind, but he was solitary. Police and coroner have been to our house as recently as Sunday to ask questions about his schedule, so the investigation is ongoing. They have not yet positively IDed his body from what we were told on Sunday (due to damage from the crash/fire), but they will release his name once/if confirmed. There’s no conspiracy here, only serious serious tragedy. Our hearts are with the families who lost their loves.
Thank you for volunteering this information. Knowing that the investigation is ongoing and police are looking for evidence is a clear indication that they haven’t concluded driving under the influence of alcohol was the sole reason this person caused an accident. I’m not giving an opinion that it was or it wasn’t, but it’s important to rule all other possibilities out first.
I am so sorry ?
Such a terrible tragedy. So many lives lost way too young. Alcohol is a scourge that has no good side. Everyone who promotes its use and makes it so culturally acceptable is part of the problem. It may be legal, but it’s definitely stupidity. Now there’s a community and school that are missing two members. Think about that next time you open up that drink, take that drug or smoke that joint.
Yes, I agree.
It is a mixed bag.
The joint comment, I agree, if one is contemplating driving. Never a good idea.
But alcohol harms much more than driving.
As I’m sure you know.
Lives and families are torn apart by alcohol, even if one never gets behind a wheel…
It causes dysfunctional behavior, neglect, erratic behavior, bursts of anger with consequences that cannot be undone.
Alcoholism has scoured our society for centuries.
It is time to stop glammorizing it and making it socially acceptable.
It amazes me how many fundraisers are alcohol based. Zootini the most recent locally. “Sure, lets drive to Shelter Cove to the brewery to raise $$$ for this or that”. And every tv show I watch, whether doctors, cops or anthropologists, they all “relax” with alcohol.
It’s pretty sad
You’re right. Almost all fundraising/festivals involve alcohol and driving to/from.
And very often there’s a complete lack of public transportation options after the event.
I don’t think so there’s Uber and Lyft so lack of public transportation not in play here. Guy drink until it was so f***** up that only wanted to do is fight the people who were trying to take his keys away from him and from what I hear there was a fight and he got his keys and was out of there so fast that even if somebody wanted to which obviously they didn’t they might not have even had time to get the police on it in time.
I’m thinking maybe he was pissed off so pissed off that he didn’t give a s*** like the neighbor said he was a solitary person so why would he give a f*** nobody to care about nobody to care about him just f*** the world I’ll get on the freeway and go the wrong way and hit the first person in my Lane obviously this is the only logical explanation for what the f*** went on!
It’s true, I may be biased, but comparing cannabis impairment with alcohol is a bum rap to weed. Just makes juicers feel better. It’s not comparable. Unimpaired driving is the way to go but alcohol is way worse.
Impaired is impaired…how you get that way is pretty much irrelevant.
I’ve seen plenty of people that have no business driving after a few hits of weed. I’ve seen people that can drink a 6 pack and you can’t even tell that they are drunk. I’ve also seen people that seem drunk as soon as they open their first beer.
Three members!
Heart breaking.
Condolences to to the Freitas family and to their many friends…
Thank you!
For all of you who are grieving. Please consider. http://Www.griefhsare.org. A weekly meeting will be commencing in Fortuna next week. This program will help you through this tough time. Those of us who have experienced grief and attend Griefshare can testify on how important it is to have loving, caring support at such a difficult time. Prayers to all of you who have been impacted by this tragedy.
@Michael Lee… Can you tell me where that grief group will be held? I googled what you posted and all I got was Redding and Santa Rosa/North Bay area. Thank you…
Prayers for the Freitas family, all those who loved them both. My family was pretty close with them both, just breaks my heart the tragedy of this whole thing. Just heartbreaking…
And for the woman who the driver passed, I hope you get some guidance with this, I have been praying for you, that kind of thing can really play with your emotions (((hugs)))
I too have been thinking of her, survivors guilt is a very real thing.
Id really like tp see tax money used for free rides home for drunk folks.
Such a senseless tragedy, may the families who are heart broken feel the love&support of theircommunities.
To those close to them, highly reccmnd the meal train app, very easy tool to organize food drops. We leave it on doorstep, its ok for the family to not want to see anyone.
May healing come to you, it takes time just to get over the shock of it all.
Blessings to all involved, those who witnessed the accident as well ?
One of the kindest posts I’ve seen on here yet thank you very much for your heartfelt contributation to these comments!
Starting Wednesday Feb 7th at Fortuna Nazarene Church at 10:00 AM. The GS website should have it listed, but We’ll get that fixed ASAP
GriefShare is not affiliated with any particular church. This is the location we meet at.
Thank you Michael for that update… I will check the site again for the update!
Thank you for this info
Amen!
This was certainly a beyond tragic event. However I don’t think the bar should be held responsible for the poor decisions of others. What should happen, is much more severe consequences for drinking and driving…
And the poor decisions of a bar tender… what do you think should happen? Just let them continue to over serve without consequences? Bar tenders seem to continue serving as long as tips keep flowing. I’ve only seen, maybe twice, in all the times I’ve worked around bar tenders where anyone was cut off. It’s a disgrace they aren’t held to account for this greedy, selfish behavior. I don’t give the bar tender blame for the driver causing the crash, but there should be some kind of punishment for not following cut-off laws, just like there are consequences for serving alcohol to minors.
Legally a bartender and even the lackey that delivers alcohol for door dash absolutely is LIABLE for the actions of the persons they serve. It is in fact illegal and against the terms of safe serve certificate, and more importantly the ABC License of the establishment to dispense alcohol to anyone displaying signs of impairment. The bartender and owner of that dive knew better and should be losing sleep over this.
#MADD
So are we gonna start holding McDonald’s liable for heart disease Because they will still serve somebody who weighs 400 pounds a happy meal? They kill way more people each year than drunk drivers. I Do not contone drinking and driving, I think anybody who causes an accident or a death while drinking should be charged with premeditated murder. That’s the thing, we’ll charge the bartender but if somebody “accidentally” kills a family drinking and driving they generally are look at 2 to 3 years… That’s ridiculous, they should be locked away for a full Murder rap. The Justice system has started to shift away from personal responsibility to blaming something else for everything. Just look at this lady that just got off on probation and community service for stabbing her boyfriend a 108 f****** times..WTF
Your coronary attack from too many bacon cheeseburgers doesn’t endanger others.
“Bartenders and servers are trained and obligated by law to recognize signs of intoxication. If a patron is visibly intoxicated, continuing to serve them alcohol can increase their impairment, thereby elevating the risk of harm to themselves and others….”
And while the establishment and bartender might be ethically and legally responsible like you pointed out the justice system is not serving justice. License revocation and threat of civil suit likely worst case scenario . Being sued civilly ain’t no picnic tho ….
Then maybe we ought to all get together and do something about that maybe call it Christina and Nevae’s law. ? Power by numbers they can’t ignore us or not do anything about it if we make a stand.
Service to an Obviously Intoxicated PersonThe law states that no person may sell or give alcohol to anyone who is obviously intoxicated. Therefore, every person who sells, furnishes, gives, or causes to be sold, furnished, or given any alcoholic beverage to any OBVIOUSLY intoxicated person is guilty of a misdemeanor.
A person is obviously intoxicated when the average person can plainly see that the person is intoxicated. In other words, the person looks or acts drunk. This includes regular customers who “always act that way.” It does not matter if the person is driving. For there to be a violation of law, the prosecutor must prove that the seller either saw or had the chance to see the signs of intoxication before the service.
Habitual drunkard – A person who has lost control over his or her drinking. No person may sell or give alcohol to anyone who is a habitual drunkard and no person may cause or permit this to occur.
A store clerk may discover a habitual drunkard in one of two ways: (a) A family member tells you the person has a drinking problem and asks you not to serve, or (b) the patron is a regular customer and unable to handle drinking on a regular basis.
A licensee or server who has been warned and still serves a habitual drunkard faces possible ABC disciplinary action and criminal prosecution. (Sections 25602(a) and 23001 Business and Professions Code; 397 Penal Code).
This is an ongoing issue with that bar. It has gotten away with this for years and something needs to be done about it.
Yes I know the laws. I dont agree with them… How many of you that think the bar, bartender should be charged support clean needle exchange?
I believe those involved in needle exchange and those providing “safe” places to use should be tried, convicted of being drug dealers and never see outside of prison. Bar tenders who don’t do their job correctly are also drug dealers in my book, even though alcohol is “legal.”
This accident caused by somebody who slams dope or eats cheeseburgers get it together THC!
Yeah but it all started and ended with the poor decisions of a bartender there is a law called serve responsibly that was passed a while back it is very illegal for bartenders to serve people alcohol until they are too f***** up to drive if they do by accident and they are to call the cops take their keys or get them a ride home. In fact the bartender should have done everything she could have to stop that driver from leaving that bar knowing what would happen
I for sure do not condone driving while impaired from any substance. As for holding the bartender and establishment liable for a patron’s bad decisions is ludicrous. Maybe, just maybe, the patron was one of those who exhibit no signs of being intoxicated. We do not know how many drinks he, or she, ordered and consumed on the premises. Please let the investigation be completed and then point fingers. These comments just go to prove that “ Innocent until proven guilty” is not a fundamental right anymore.
There definitely seems to be an assumption here about where and who, and everyone wants someone to blame, to see some sort of justice done. It’s understandable, but I wish everyone would remember that the rumor mill in a small town is just that. I have seen the people who work in the establishment in Rio Dell not only stop serving several people, but not even let some people in the bar when obviously intoxicated. It’s such an awful thing that happened – but we should be mourning at the loss rather than digging and making assumptions so there is someone to punish.
Well I will tell you this! I was a bartender that did not put up with giving more and more alcohol to people drinking. We 86th them …cut them off .and gave them coffee to drink. We would call a cab, for them or offer some way to get home safe with out killing someone……because they can blame the bar, the owner,the bartender… OH YES THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTION..YOU DON’T KEEP FEEDING THEM WITH ALCOHOL TILL THEY CAN’T STAND UP OR CANT SEE STRAIT… IM SO DEVASTATED OVER THIS.. YES I AM