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Daughters mourn loss of father killed in high-speed Del Valle crash
On a rainy Wednesday, all four Velazquez girls gathered in their grandmother's Northeast Austin home, recalling happier times with their father Jose.
AUSTIN, Texas - An Austin family is mourning the loss of their father and his longtime girlfriend following a high-speed crash this weekend.
On a rainy Wednesday, all four Velazquez girls gathered in their grandmother's Northeast Austin home, recalling happier times with their father Jose, 49.
“[He was] always ready to party.” laughed Leticia Velazquez, 23.
“He loved to make us laugh,” added Tracey Velazquez, 30.
Pulling out a photo of her father, Elitha Velazquez, 20, explained “my dad, he looks like this big scary man and he wasn’t. He was surrounded by girls all the time. He had a soft spot, a soft part.”
The girls say he had a special soft spot for his longtime girlfriend, Joanne Menchaca, 45.
“He loved her a lot, he loved her very, very much,” said Elitha Velazquez.
For the past several years, Velazquez and Menchaca spent most of their time together.
“Inseparable.” Tracey Velazquez said of the couple.
This past Sunday, the two died together in a car crash in Del Valle.
“They loved each other a lot and I’m glad they went together,” said Elitha Velazquez.
The Department of Public Safety estimates 21-year-old Joseph Diaz, the man who hit Velazquez and Menchaca, had been driving anywhere from 100 to 120 miles an hour.
RELATED: San Marcos man faces manslaughter charges following fatal crash in Del Valle
He told a trooper he was late for a flight out of Austin and was in a hurry. He said his flight was set to take off less than an hour after the crash. He also said he was unfamiliar with the rental car he was driving.
“God bless. Prayers are with you and your family as well -- but my father is gone and I’m never gonna see him again,” sobbed Elitha Velazquez.
Diaz is in the Travis County Jail facing manslaughter charges. His bond totals $50,000.
“We do want justice, we do wanna fight for him. He’s not here, he can’t do it himself,” Tracey Velazquez said.
The girls are spending the week making funeral arrangements, feeling robbed of a proper goodbye. Velazquez did not have insurance to cover funeral expenses, so the family has started a GoFundMe.
RELATED: Two dead, one seriously injured in South Austin crash
They also are hosting a benefit this weekend at Advanced Autoparts on E 7th Street from 11 a.m. until sell-out.
“He always held a place in my heart,” cried Olivia Velazquez, 14.
It’s a seemingly senseless loss Velazquez’ daughters hope people will learn from.
“This is an eye-opener to us, to everyone -- to all the families that were affected in this. Just to wear your seatbelt, just always hug, love, kiss everyone goodbye each and every day. You never know what’s gonna happen.” said Tracey Velazquez.
“My uncle was a good man a loving uncle. He will be missed deeply. I’ll forever celebrate you with me. Please don’t speed. No limit… is worth it. Rest in heaven Tio. I love you.” said Velazquez’ niece, Precious Sanchez in a statement.