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Reia Shapiro, a returning PCC women’s basketball player, was struck down Saturday morning in a hit and run accident.Driving on the 210 Freeway she clipped the center divider and spun out of control. After she got out of her black 1997 Honda, several vehicles struck her, according to CHP briefings.

The accident occurred on the 210 eastbound, next to Huntington Drive exit in Arcadia. Skid marks are visible going up the divider and spiraling into the middle lanes, as are orange marks from the hit and run investigation.

After dropping off PCC teammate Christina Miner after going to a Dodgers game, Shapiro was heading back home when the accident happened according to friends.

At 2:48 a.m., just a couple minutes before the accident, the phone of Shamario Jones, whom she had been dating, showed a missed call.

Jones was camping out with the football team that night in the gym. He tried calling her on Saturday and looked for her during the game but never saw her, he said.

He heard the news after the game, in which he took part in two tackles, as the winning moment turned sour.

“I lost a part of me. She meant the world to me. I loved her smile, she had the prettiest smile and made me smile when I was down,” said Jones.

She promised him she would be at the game to support him on Saturday.

“She always told me to keep my head up, stay smiling and work hard for what I want. Play hard. Work hard,” said Jones.

Shapiro had many friends at PCC, including cheer captain Gabrielle Dixon who helped her through emotional times. She went to South Fork High in Miranda, in Northern California which lead to hundreds of friendships all over the state.
She not only had a big appetite for friends but also for Carl’s Jr.

“She liked going to Carl’s Jr. and ordering two six dollar burgers. She’d completely eat both of them,” said Kelila Shapiro, Reia’s sister.

“Reia was like our best defensive player, said Joe Peron, women’s basketball head coach. “At 5’10” she had great defense on little guards. Overall she was consistent and steady on the court, just as coaches would want a player to be. Reia Shapiro.”

Playing in the 2006-2007 season at PCC, Shapiro’s stats included 63 points and 80 rebounds as she played in 34 of the 36 games. The state championship semi-final game against Sierra College marked her last game as a Lancer. She made one basket and two rebounds in her 16 minutes of playing time.

Former teammate Jeanine Deno recalls as good memory. When she was going to guard a high scoring Sierra player, Shapiro called her off.

Coach Peron told Shapiro to not move away from that opponent and that is exactly what she did.
The two laughed about it, as they talked about the quick confusing moment in the losing game on the way home.
The Lancers women’s basketball team is currently trying to decide on what kind of tribute they will have in honor of Shapiro for the 2007-2008 season, which will begin in five weeks.

Anyone with information of the accident is urged to call the Altadena CHP at (626) 296-8100 with information. Though many vehicles passed near the scene very few stopped, according to relative’s briefings.

A memorial service is being planned for Saturday evening in the Court of Champions, for more information contact coach Joe Peron at (626) 585-7782.

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