My mother-in-law, Tawny Christner, 63, of Clearlake Oaks, passed away tragically yesterday in a six-car accident on Esplanade and Lassen in Chico, CA. Tawny was a beautiful woman, a beloved mother and grandmother, and a dedicated employee of Caltrans for many years, and had just recently retired.

Today, the yards she worked at flew their flags at half mast in her honor, showing how much she meant to her colleagues and community.

Today, my seven year old son is asking why grandma didn't keep her promise to spend one more night with him and let him play in her blue Genesis. He loved pretending to drive grandma's blue Genesis.

The accident was caused by an elderly driver in a gray sedan speeding and rear-ending Tawny's blue Hyundai Genesis, which was legally stopped at a red light. Her car was sent into the intersection of oncoming traffic on Esplanade and Lassen. She was in the passenger seat, and was killed on impact from internal injuries caused by the impact of hitting a white pickup truck.

The at fault driver is alive and stable in the ICU, and there are no indications at this time it was a medical emergency. If not, he may face manslaughter charges.

Our family is broken by this tragedy. I can't bring myself to explain any of this tragedy to my six and four year old. Grandma was just here. And now she's not. My husband and his sister are without a mom, I am without the only mom I had, who became one of my best friends, and my children's only grandma.

She was the BEST grandma. I couldn't have asked for anyone better for my babies; she loved her family fiercely and unconditionally. She was in town for her granddaughter's fourth birthday, and died on impact a mile down the road from our home the day after that birthday.

There is so much to cover. We are overwhelmed, and are asking our community to please come together. She has a dog dying of cancer at home, and two other elderly pups that will need to be rehomed. There are multiple animals that need to be rehomed - she was a huge lover of all creatures big and small, and nature in general. God she loved animals - every life was sacred. She had Tortoises, chickens, ducks, goats, dogs, cats. At one point, a very sassy Morrocan cockatoo named Jack that she adored.

It is not just her kids, grandchildren, and pets she's left behind, though.

Her partner of over 13 years is devastated. She was his whole world.

Her son is devastated. I am devastated. And I am heartbroken and terrified of telling these two babies their best friend and only grandma is gone. Our family will never be the same.

We are asking our community to help support us in giving her proper funeral services and support our family during this difficult time. The funds will help us lay my babies' grandmother to rest, and support her partner, family, and pets who are also affected. Any donation, big or small, will help us honor Tawny's memory. Please help us give our children's grandmother a loving, dignified goodbye. If anyone deserves their life honored, it's her. And - Please, drive responsibly. Don't do this to innocent people and families. Your support means the world to us.