San Antonio Families in Mourning After Tragic Bus Accident in Mexico
San Antonio is experiencing a wave of sadness as the community comes together to support the family of two beloved sisters, Laura Salas and Maria Soto. The bond they shared was apparent in old photographs, with their family reminiscing about the joyful moments captured through the years. Marlene Lyon, Laura’s daughter, fondly shared, “This one was a long time ago. We’re in disbelief.”
It’s been nearly a month since this tragic event unfolded. Laura and Maria set off on a trip to Monterrey, Mexico, on August 31 to visit relatives. The trip was supposed to be filled with joy and family reconnecting. However, on September 8, when their family expected a call signaling their return, they were met with silence. Lyon recalled, “That’s when we realized that they hadn’t gotten home yet.”
Worry started swirling in their hearts. They reached out to the bus company, visited the station, and even contacted family friends in Mexico. Unfortunately, answers were hard to find. It wasn’t until Anthony Soto, Maria’s son, received a phone message confirming their deepest fears that the gravity of the situation became clear. “I got a text saying there was an accident,” he said, a sorrowful weight in his words.
This prompted the family to leap into action, flying down to Mexico to figure out what happened. “We were exhausted,” Anthony recalls, as they navigated through the chaos, making calls to hospitals and reaching out to anyone who might offer a clue about their loved ones’ fate. Despite the turmoil, the family held on hope and perseverance, yet it was a heavy heart that led them through each call and conversation.
Eventually, the family learned about the devastating bus crash involving the charter bus that was supposed to bring Laura and Maria back home to San Antonio. Tragically, the bus collided with an 18-wheeler just north of Monterrey. A survivor described the scene, saying the bus burst into flames, leaving a palpable sense of heartache among families waiting for their loved ones. “It just felt too impossibly cruel,” Anthony expressed, as the reality of their loss sank in.
With about 20 passengers aboard the bus, the tragedy struck more than just their family. After undergoing DNA testing to identify the victims, it was confirmed that Laura and Maria were two of the four who did not survive the crash, leaving the family in unimaginable grief.
As they grapple with the pain of their loss, the family is facing additional challenges. “Making the arrangements to transport their bodies back to San Antonio and scheduling their funeral were expensive,” Lyon revealed. To alleviate the financial burden, the family has begun collecting donations to help cover the costs associated with this tragedy.
With the funeral on the horizon, emotions remain raw. Friends, family, and the wider San Antonio community are coming together to support one another during this incredibly difficult time. The legacy of Laura Salas and Maria Soto will continue through the love they shared and the memories cherished by all who knew them.
The family invites anyone who knew the sisters, or simply wishes to extend their sympathies, to join them for the funeral service on Friday. It will be a time for joyfully reflecting on the lives of two women who left an indelible mark on their loved ones. In the midst of heartache, they strive to celebrate the light that Laura and Maria brought to their world.
