Napa teenager killed in auto accident
By MARSHA DORGAN
Register Staff Writer
October 28th, 2009
October 27th, 2009
10 a.m.A Napa teenager, the daughter of a prominent Napa surgeon, was killed Sunday evening in a solo-pickup crash on First Avenue in east Napa.
Veronica Zimmermann, 17, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Jaret Paulson.
She is the daughter of Napa plastic surgeon John Zimmermann and Bianca Zimmermann.
Veronica Zimmermann, a senior at Vintage High School, was the front-seat passenger in a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab pickup driven by a 17-year-old Napa boy, Paulson said.
Authorities are not releasing the name of the driver, pending further investigation, Paulson said.
The driver, along with two other passengers, Britney Moore, 17, and her sibling, Holly Moore, 15, both of Napa, were treated for minor injuries at Queen of the Valley Medical Center and released, Paulson said.
The fatal accident happened around 9 p.m., on First Avenue, south of Hagen Road.
The driver of the pickup attempted to negotiate some “S” curves in the road and lost control of the pickup, Paulson said.
The vehicle rolled and slammed into a power pole, coming to rest on its top, he said.
“It looks as if the passenger side of the pickup took the brunt of the hit with the power pole,” he said.
=“Vivacious, loving, caring and full of life” are the words her parents used to describe their beloved teenage daughter.
“She had a personality that never ended. She was compassionate and the first one to step in, in a crisis,” her mother said. “She wanted to be a nurse. That was just the way she was. Veronica cared so much about others, she just wanted to help.”
Bianca recalled her young daughter’s love for babies and small children.
“She had a knack for connecting with kids. She baby-sat and just loved being with the kids. And they loved her so much,” Bianca said. “Veronica had big dreams. She also loved music and to take photos. It’s so hard right now to even concentrate on what has happened. It’s like shell shock.”
Zimmermann’s father remembered the little girl from Brazil suffering from significant facial deformities who was brought to Napa for his plastic surgery.
“Veronica, who speaks fluent Spanish, connected with the little girl. Veronica was in fifth grade. She took the little girl to her classroom and introduced her to all of her classmates. She took the child under her wing,” John Zimmermann said. “That was just the way she was. Our daughter was a very generous and caring person. She was the type that if she saw someone get hurt, she was the first person there to put on the Band-Aid.”
Zimmermann’s good friend Danielle Herman said she could always count on Zimmermann to be there in a time of need.
“We’ve been friends since first grade. I lost my mom last November and Veronica was there for me — I mean really there for me. When things got tough, I could always count on her to be there to hold my head and comfort me,” Herman said. “I can’t believe she is gone.”
Michelle Tubman echoed Herman’s recollection of their close friend.
“Veronica was always so generous. If you needed gas money, she was there. If you needed a shoulder to lean on she was there. And she never asked for anything in return,” Tubman said. “You don’t meet too many friends like that in your lifetime.”
Zimmermann had just transferred this school year to Vintage High after attending her freshman, sophomore and junior years at Justin-Siena.
Alicia Vadivia was Zimmermann’s counselor when she attended Justin-Siena.
“Veronica was one of my favorite students. She was so caring and generous with her friends. Veronica had a lot of potential,” Vadivia said. “And she so loved her brother and parents. She always wanted to make them proud of her, and I’m sure she did.”
=CHP Sgt. Elfido Montez said the four teens left the house on Sunday night to drop off one of the passengers to pick up their car at work.
“We are looking at several different things that could have caused the accident, such as speed and the inexperience of the young driver, who is just devastated about all of this,” Montez said.
=All of the victims were wearing seat belts.
=Paulson said Monday morning that neither alcohol nor drugs are considered factors in the collision.
=In addition to her parents, Zimmermann is survived by her 16-year-old brother Jean-Paul Zimmermann.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Thursday at St. Apollinaris Catholic Church, followed by a reception at the church hall.
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valligirl wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:32 AM:
po8laurie wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:48 AM:
napakin1969 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:51 AM:
topper wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:56 AM:
Parents of young drivers, watch your children and know at all times where they are and who they're with. This should not have happened.
Under 18's, Please remember the law for under 18 drivers applies to all of you. If you feel that your reponsible enough to drive a car, you must be responsible enough to know and abide by the laws of the state you are driving in.
After you pass your driving test, you are be issued a provisional driver license. With your provisional driver license, you must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian or other licensed driver 25 years of age or older, or by a licensed or certified driving instructor when you:
Transport passengers under 20 years of age at any time, for the first twelve months.
Drive between 11 pm and 5 am for the first twelve months.
This means you cannot give anyone under 20 years old (your friends, your brother(s), sister(s), cousin(s), etc.) a ride unless you have a licensed parent, a guardian or other adult 25 years old or older in the car with you.
This comes straight out of the California Driver's Hand Book.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BE SAFE !! "
VCmom wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:01 AM:
frenchtoast wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:05 AM:
MP wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:06 AM:
Hayden wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:17 AM:
lilangel4ever756 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:29 AM:
Trebinje wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:43 AM:
nscrgirl wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:55 AM:
WestParkFamily wrote on Oct 27, 2008 12:36 PM:
GregN. wrote on Oct 27, 2008 12:54 PM:
barrelgrli wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:16 PM:
donnaitalia wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:42 PM:
hollywood wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:56 PM:
you are amazing
you have been there for me and im sorry i couldn't save you.
i am so sorry.
i love you sooo much.
Rest in Peace. "
elemgirl wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:02 PM:
esalinger wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:08 PM:
JTA wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:14 PM:
14obama wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:48 PM:
dfagundes wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:04 PM:
cab e-girl wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:21 PM:
Joe wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:37 PM:
Dwayne wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:40 PM:
bballfan wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:54 PM:
skiph wrote on Oct 27, 2008 4:13 PM:
realnewnapa wrote on Oct 27, 2008 4:39 PM:
sms2008 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 4:51 PM:
napamom10 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:39 PM:
antipc wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:51 PM:
A young life was lost have some respect.
14obama, the investigation is not complete, until it is I suggest we not cast stones.
Our prayers are with the Zimmermans. I cannot imagine the loss of a child. "
skippert wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:20 PM:
4thgennapa wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:43 PM:
To the young man who was driving, it was an accident. I know this will be with you forever just remember it was an accident.
To the other young ladies, this is such a horrific thing for you to have witnessed, at such a young age. Be careful when you start to drive.
Now for 14obama, topper, I have read many of YOUR COMMENTS on other articles in the past. Let me say that you really should stop and think before you type. You always have negative/unkind remarks about everything. You need to get lives that don't revolve around your computer. I for one would be very happy if I never saw your names in the comments ever again. A young woman has lost her life leaving a void in the hearts of her family and friends, show some respect PLEASE.
Again, to the Zimmerman family I am so very sorry for your loss. "
jmo wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:53 PM:
simpwinemom wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:55 PM:
seniors09 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:57 PM:
mwatts-jaeger wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:00 PM:
Our prayers are with you all on this tragic day. We have been looking at pictures all day and remembering all the good times our girls had together at St. John's School. Veronica will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all. "
have@heart wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:45 PM:
Dwayne- In now way was the law broken and as i told 14Obama you should also check up on your facts.
A young lady has died and all you can do is critisize the driver who already has enough on his shoulders as it is.
Have some respect!
My heart goes out to the Zimmerman's. Im sorry for your loss John Bianca and Jp "
napa5 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:56 PM:
drtymick75 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:48 PM:
P.S. My prayers are with V's family. "
Mai wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:05 PM:
Wickman wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:05 PM:
napanana wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:30 PM:
Every time something like this happens I have memory flash backs of the many many great kids that have been lost to such tragic accidents. The older I get the longer the list gets.....but it isn't any easier as time goes on. I can bet you that the driver had no intent/idea of getting in an accident...that is why they are called accidents.
No words can be expressed ...... My heart breaks for you all. "
Napafam wrote on Oct 28, 2008 12:38 AM:
pinkflame wrote on Oct 28, 2008 9:29 AM:
14obama wrote on Oct 28, 2008 10:38 AM:
Napagrrl wrote on Oct 28, 2008 11:40 AM:
These sisters endured the tragic, unexpected death of their mother a little over a year ago. I hope they will receive counseling or any other support they need.
To all involved, my thoughts are with you. "
VCmom wrote on Oct 28, 2008 1:46 PM:
A very young man will have to live the rest of his life knowing he was at the wheel of an auto that took someones life. And more importantly a very young woman lost her life.
Please stop with the comments in regard to speed and teenage drivers etc. That isn't important right now. The important thing is that four teenagers lives and that of their families were changed forever on Sunday night and that is what we should be focusing on. "
napkan wrote on Oct 28, 2008 1:54 PM:
Those of us who have kids know that stretch of road and how kids drive - it's a bad combination, and when you combine inexperience with a touch of the invincible... Sometimes it ends in tragedy - and if people really think the pothole was the sole reason, then everyone who hit it would have crashed before them...
We all worry for our kids at this age, knowing some within each of our circles will never make it to graduation.
Our hearts go out to the families of all who were involved, including the young man who was just being young, which sometimes leads to tragedy. May he find a positive way to deal with this someday, and we mourn the loss of a beautiful young woman as well. "
Joe wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:18 PM:
jesuslovesyou wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:29 PM:
"Heaven could not wait." "
mai wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:49 PM:
napadad wrote on Oct 28, 2008 5:26 PM:
john zimmermann wrote on Oct 28, 2008 8:24 PM:
There is no question that lack of good judgment was involved, but we adults were all teenagers, made mistakes, and as the adage goes: let he, who is without sin, cast the first stone."
As Veronica's father, my wife and I are the ones who should most be suffering in pain...and we are. The last two days, however, have provided numerous examples of the spirit, compassion, and selflessness of the youth of our community...witness the roadside shrine at the site of the tragedy...
Now is the time for us to pause and celebrate Veronica's life, the differences she made to all of us, and take heart that with these youth, our future is in incredibly good hands.
We love them all.
John and Bianca Zimmermann "
growninnapa wrote on Oct 29, 2008 1:07 AM:
growninnapa wrote on Oct 29, 2008 1:17 AM:
xmrs09 wrote on Oct 29, 2008 12:30 PM:
I, too, have a 17-year-old daughter who is a senior at Vintage, and my heart breaks for you when I think about what you must be feeling. My daughter did not know Veronica personally, though she does know the young driver. I don't want to trivialize your loss or your feelings but I believe the impact this tragedy will have on a lot of kids this age will save other lives. Unfortunately, your daughter had to die for that to happen. In that sense, and I'm sure in many more, she is truly an Angel of God.
Peace be with you and your wife and son. I hope the three of you can remain the family that raised such a wonderful human being. "
griffingirl04 wrote on Oct 29, 2008 7:51 PM:
john zimmermann wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:09 PM:
John, Bianca, and Jean Paul Zimmermann "
amanda.hurley wrote on Nov 8, 2008 10:38 PM:
hollywood wrote on Nov 12, 2008 8:52 PM:
I would just like to say, that i have read through these comments, and i would just like to say to all of you who don't have anything nice to say to the Zimmermann's or are to worried about making their point about speed limits, please keep your comments to yourself. One of my best friends was lost in this accident, and it aggravates me to see that all you care about is letting people know what you think happened. Trust me, you have no idea. This is a tragic thing for the Zimmermann's and i would appreciate it if you supported them.
And thank you to all who DO have nice things to say. you are all amazing. "