Encinitas Community Grieves the Tragic Loss of 12-Year-Old Emery Chalekian Following Fatal Crosswalk Collision
ENCINITAS, Calif. — A heartbreaking tragedy has rocked the Encinitas community as residents mourn the devastating loss of 12-year-old Emery Chalekian, who was fatally struck during a two-vehicle collision on the evening of Friday, April 25, 2025.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. at the busy intersection of Encinitas Boulevard and Village Square Drive, a location known for its heavy foot and vehicle traffic. According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Emery had been using the crosswalk when two vehicles collided near the intersection. One of the vehicles veered off course and struck the young pedestrian.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene within minutes. Despite their best efforts and immediate medical aid, Emery succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The devastating news sent shockwaves throughout the close-knit Encinitas community, where Emery was known as a bright, energetic, and kind-hearted young girl.
Sheriff’s deputies conducted initial interviews with the drivers involved and multiple witnesses who had been nearby. Both drivers remained at the scene and cooperated fully with authorities. Preliminary reports suggest that neither drugs nor alcohol appear to have been factors in the collision. However, an in-depth investigation into the precise circumstances is ongoing.
The Chalekian family, who have lived in Encinitas for several years, are now grappling with an unimaginable loss. Emery, a student at Oak Crest Middle School, was described by friends, teachers, and neighbors as an exceptionally compassionate and vibrant individual who loved art, playing soccer, and spending time with her friends and younger siblings.
“Emery had a spark that lit up every room she entered,” said one of her teachers in a tearful tribute. “Her kindness, her energy, and her pure heart touched everyone around her. Our hearts are shattered.”
Over the weekend, a growing memorial of flowers, candles, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes appeared at the intersection where the tragedy unfolded. Members of the community gathered for a vigil Saturday night to honor Emery’s memory, lighting candles and sharing personal stories about the young girl whose life was cut far too short.
Local leaders and school officials are also offering support. Grief counselors have been made available at Oak Crest Middle School to help students and staff cope with the emotional aftermath of Emery’s death. Encinitas Mayor Tony Kranz released a statement expressing profound sorrow and pledging the city’s support to the Chalekian family.
“This is an unimaginable loss for our community,” Mayor Kranz said. “Our hearts go out to Emery’s family, her friends, and her schoolmates. We are mourning alongside you and will do everything we can to support you through this tragedy.”
In response to the accident, city officials are also reviewing traffic safety measures at the intersection of Encinitas Boulevard and Village Square Drive. Calls from concerned citizens to enhance pedestrian safety, particularly near crosswalks in busy areas, have intensified following the incident. Proposals such as improved lighting, additional signage, and potentially installing pedestrian barriers are being discussed.
The Chalekian family has expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of support from neighbors, friends, and even strangers who have reached out in solidarity. They are asking for privacy during this difficult time as they mourn their beloved daughter and begin the painful journey of healing.
A GoFundMe page has been established by family friends to assist with funeral expenses and to honor Emery’s memory through a scholarship fund supporting aspiring young artists — a tribute to one of Emery’s greatest passions.
As the investigation into the crash continues, authorities urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the collision to come forward to assist in piecing together exactly what happened.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station at (760) 966-3500 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
For now, Encinitas mourns the tragic and untimely loss of a young life that ended far too soon, with a community determined to never forget the light Emery Chalekian brought into the world.