Fort Worth marks anniversary of deadly 133-car pileup on icy I-35W

FORT WORTH, Texas - A small private ceremony was held to honor the victims, survivors and first responders involved in a deadly pileup in Fort Worth.

Friday marks one year since the crash on Interstate 35W near Northside Drive.

More than 100 vehicles were involved and six people were killed in the chain reaction collision on an icy roadway.

The families of the victims bravely spoke of the fatal pile-up.

"This message is for the greatest mom I could’ve ever had. Tamara Mendoza was a very special woman," one of the victim’s family members said. "She was a kind, religious, intelligent, good-hearted woman."

The occasion was also to honor the men and women who risked their own lives to save others.

"Everyone rallying together that day to try to save as many lives as possible. Incredibly, incredibly difficult. And it makes me emotional to look at your faces and know what you lost," said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. "These folks will take the lessons learned from that day. And they will forever not just remember it, but they will apply the lessons learned that day to help others."

The city has donated benches for peaceful reflection.  The walkway near them includes a cement paver honoring the memories of Tamara Mendoza, Aaron Watson, Michael Wells, Christopher Vardy, William Williams and Tiffany Gerred.

Twelve-year-old Emri Gerred knows her mom now watches over her. 

"It’s sad, but I’m not as sad as I thought I would be. I guess my grief has gotten better," she said.

Tiffany’s parents give credit a good support system.

"Family friends and amazing people the Lord has put in our path. We are going to make it through," they said.

The National Transportation Safety Board found the roads had been pretreated to prevent icing but a round of freezing rain and sleet moved in hours before the crash.

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