Friends and family are trying to help the widow of a Newhall man killed Sunday in a hit and run collision in San Diego County.

Stephen Chavez, 24, was killed by a hit-and-run driver in a white truck while trying to cross the southbound lanes of Interstate 5, near the Aliso Creek rest area in Oceanside, on foot, according to California Highway Patrol officers.

The collision took place around 11:20 p.m., according to CHP officers, who are trying to find the driver for questioning.

A longtime friend of Stephen Chavez’ widow, Bre Rader, is asking if the community can help the single mother with a “goods drive” she’s hosting. (Photo courtesy of GiveForward)

The truck hit Chavez and kept going, but the aftermath resulted in a four-car crash as drivers tried to drive around the collision.

It’s unknown exactly why Chavez was trying to cross the road, according to CHP Officer Parent, but there was a rest area by the road very near where he was struck and killed.

Now, Tiffany Grummer, a longtime friend of Chavez’ widow, Bre Rader, is asking if the community can help the single mother with a “goods drive” she’s hosting.

Rader became engaged to Chavez, who worked at the Newhall Refinery, on Christmas day, and the two recently found out Rader is expecting to have a second daughter in June. Rader also has a daughter named Irie Chavez, who turned 1 this past year.

“Her family is just trying to raise money because she now has to pay for herself and two kids,” Grummer said, referring to a GiveForward and Facebook page that have been established.

“I know it might be hard for some to donate money right now, but that’s why I wanted to host a goods drive,” she added. “A pack of diapers, formula, baby clothes, anything like that might help.”

Click here for a link to the Facebook page Grummer created.

Anyone who would like to make a donation of goods or services, if a local business owner would like to offer a gift card, can drop it off at Persia Lounge, which is located at 24328 Main Street in Newhall.

Donations can also be made to a GiveForward page started to support Rader. Click here for the link.

CHP officers are asking anyone who might have information about the driver or circumstances in the hit-and-run crash is asked to call 760-757-1675.

If anyone would like to get involved in helping with the food drive, they can contact Grummer at 661-803-7196.