The Biakanja Children entered into God's hands Sunday, August 14, 2022.

Leigh Annabelle and Lucy Marie, age 14, were born on August 5, 2008, and Benjamin David, age 12, was born on June 16, 2010, in Santa Clara, California. They are survived by their father, Steven, and their stepmother, Thuan.

All three children attended Carmel Middle School and previously enjoyed many years at Tularcitos Elementary School in Carmel Valley. Leigh, an honor roll student, was a member of the Sea Cadets, played piano and violin. She also enjoyed playing softball and loved art. Lucy was passionate about animals and played piano and flute. She enjoyed going to estate sales and vintage shopping on the weekends. Ben had a friendly disposition with a smile to match. He was a passionate collector of WWII memorabilia, was also a member of the Sea Cadets and learned to play the cello. All three loved the outdoors, camping, hiking and spending family vacations in Incline Village, Lake Tahoe. Leigh, Lucy and Ben were honorary Junior Firefighters at Fire Station 16 in San Jose.

It was always a joy when Leigh, Lucy and Ben were together with their 16 cousins at family gatherings and holidays. They will always be loved by their uncles, Krist, John (Christine) and Jim (Nini) Biakanja and their aunts, Katherine Saville (Terry), Mary Paolini (Mario), Susan Biakanja and Karen Greaves (Jeff, predeceased). They are together in heaven with their grandparents, Dr. Krist and Julia Biakanja, Uncle Mike B., and David. The children's loving and tender spirits will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the SPCA of Monterey County www.spcamc.org in the children's names. This is a special place, where Steve and the children loved to visit and play with the animals.

A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life for the children will begin at 12:00 P.M. on October 1, 2022, at St. Lucy's Church, 2350 South Winchester Boulevard, Campbell, California 95008. Steve and Thuan would like this to be a day of celebration for Leigh, Lucy and Ben. Family and friends please dress for a joyful occasion.

Published by Mercury News from Sep. 24 to Oct. 9, 2022.

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KILLED IN BIG-RIG COLLISION ON HIGHWAY 156 [HOLLISTER, CA]

4 Fatally Injured in Semi-Truck Accident near Fairview Road

Sunday night, four members of the Biakanja family were killed in a big-rig collision on Highway 156.

The incident happened around 8:05 p.m., near Fairview Road on August 14th. Emergency crews were dispatched to the site of the accident shortly after.

According to reports, the Biakanja family was riding in a 2014 Tesla Model S when it crossed the center line and collided head-on with a semi-truck.

There, officials pronounced 53-year-old Lisa Biakanja, 12-year-old Ben Biakanja, and the 14-year-old twins Leigh Biakanja and Lucy Biakanja dead at the scene.

Meanwhile, the truck driver only described as a 39-year-old man also suffered minor injuries. Medics transported him to a Hollister hospital for further treatment.