Phoenix mom Dominica Fuller-Cordova dies in crash, leaving behind five young children

May 20, 2021

PHOENIX, AZ – A Phoenix man planned to marry the mother of his children, only to lose her in a car accident Saturday. “It’s like one day she was just there, and then she’s just gone,” said Ruben Villalpando, after losing the love of his life, Dominica Fuller-Cordova.

Clinging to his small children, Villalpando tries to cope with becoming a single father. “She loved her babies so much, dude, so much, like they love her so much,” said Villalpando.

Phoenix police said Dominica lost her life Saturday, May 15th, 2021 in a car accident near 51st Avenue and Van Buren.  Villalpando said the mother of five was running an errand when the crash happened. “I usually give her a kiss every time she goes, but she was like, ‘It’s only 10 minutes away. I’ll be back,'” said Villalpando.

When time passed and Villalpando could not get in touch with Dominica, he said he learned she got into a bad accident. Villalpando said he rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. “Just knowing she was already gone by the time I was already there, it was so hard,” said Villalpando.

“Now it’s just memories, and now I just have to live for my kids and make sure my kids remember her and how she was,” said Villalpando.

Although the loss is painful, he says Dominica’s memory will live on through the kids. The family said they also recently learned she was able to save lives through organ donations.

Villalpando said this GoFundMe page will help with funeral costs and taking care of the children.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Dominica over this tragic loss.