**Beloved Pastor and Father of Four Killed in Huntington Beach Bicycle Crash**
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — Tears and heartbreak filled the air as family, friends, and community members gathered to remember Eric Williams, a beloved local pastor and father of four, who was tragically struck and killed on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach.
Eric Williams, 45, was a devoted pastor who founded and led the Community Church of West Garden Grove. Known for his humor, kindness, and generosity, Williams leaves behind a wife and four children. His family says they are now leaning on their faith in God—the same faith he led his church with—to help them navigate this devastating loss and find the strength to forgive the woman responsible for the accident.
“I’m proud of my son for who he became. He’s a wonderful kid, a wonderful boy, just a wonderful boy,” said Ted Williams, Eric’s father, his voice breaking with emotion. Suzanne Williams, Eric’s mother, added, “Eric was, first of all, funny, and loving, and kind, and generous.”
The tragic accident occurred Monday morning while Eric Williams and two other cyclists were riding in a bike lane near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Newland Street. A driver struck all three cyclists, resulting in Williams’ death at the scene. The two other cyclists suffered severe injuries, including spinal fractures, broken ribs, and a broken ankle, and were rushed to the hospital.
Police have identified the driver as 43-year-old Amber Kristine Calderon of Long Beach. She is now facing one felony count of hit-and-run causing permanent injury or death, along with two felony counts of hit-and-run with injury.
“It’s totally gut-wrenching, heart-wrenching, when a young man with a young family is just tragically taken, and we feel that rawness in us, but we have to — we forgive that woman,” said Alli Joy Vazquez, Eric Williams’ sister.
A candlelight vigil was held Friday at Eastgate Park in Garden Grove, drawing family, church members, cycling colleagues, and members of the community. The event served as a tribute to Pastor Williams and a source of comfort to his grieving family.
“Tonight, we are mourning a great loss in our city, but I hope that by sharing in that grief, we can offer some small amount of comfort to the Williams family,” a speaker said during the vigil.
Vazquez shared the family’s feelings, saying, “We’ve never experienced these emotions before. It’s overwhelming, and it’s horrible, but God’s grace is with us.”
Toxicology results are still pending to determine whether Calderon was driving under the influence at the time of the crash.
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*Our thoughts and prayers are with Eric Williams’ family and all those affected by this tragic loss.*
https://abc7.com/post/eric-williams-death-loved-ones-gather-remember-bicyclist-beloved-pastor-killed-huntington-beach-crash/18069248/
