Account set up to help family of girl killed

A memorial account has been set up to help pay for the funeral of Alexis Melendrez, 8, killed in an accident Friday in Mound House that also claimed her father's life and critically injured her baby brother.

Bill Richards, a Carson City Sheriff's deputy, said Monday that in addition to funeral costs, the children's mother, Tasha Johnson, needs with medical costs associated with the care of her 3-year-old son Colton who is on life support in a Reno hospital.

Alexis, known as Lexi, and her brother Colton, 3, were riding with their father David Melendrez westbound on Highway 50 East in Mound House when Melendrez crossed the center lane into eastbound traffic just before 4 p.m. Friday.

The Honda sideswiped a 2002 Chevy Avalanche pickup, driven by Debra Dipino, 56, of Carson City, and then struck head-on an eastbound 2001 GMC pickup driven by Daniel Jones, 66, of Pollock Pines, Calif., according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

The impact demolished the Honda and flipped the GMC onto its side.

Melendrez, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene.

When rescuers pulled Lexi from the wreckage, the little girl gave rescuers her mother's name and number, said Richards.

"Alexis said somebody please call my mom and where's my little brother, please find my little brother," said Richards.

Colton was found on the front seat floorboard. A car seat was thrown from the vehicle during the collision.

Both children were taken from the scene by helicopter. Lexi died from her injuries at 2:08 a.m. Saturday. Colton remains in the hospital in a fight for his life, said Richards.

"They haven't given up hope on him," Richards said on Monday.

The children lived most of the time with their mother and her fiance, Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Don Gibson. The couple had planned an August wedding. Lexi would have turned 9 on Aug. 25.

Richards said Melendrez was taking the children back to their mother's home after a visit with him when the accident occurred.

Trooper Chuck Allen said the cause remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call Trooper Robert Haigney at (775) 689-4682 or the Department of Public Safety-Communications Center at (775) 687-0400 regarding case No. NHP-1104221244.

Cash donations to help the family can be made at any Heritage Bank Branch to the Alexis and Colton Melendrez Fund Account No. 2000008744.