A Ceres woman was killed by a tree toppled by snow as she was standing outside of Half Dome Village in Yosemite Valley Sunday morning.

Destiny Rose Texeira Borges, 20, of Ceres, and her family had just packed up from a stay in Half Dome Village, formerly Camp Curry, when she began searching for a restroom to use. The one she chose was locked and as she began walking toward another one she was in the path of the falling tree. Unable to get away in time when the tree fell around 10 a.m., her sister reported hearing her scream.

The Ponderosa Pine was estimated to be 200 feet tall.
Borges was employed as an auditor with Retail Grocery Inventory Service (RGIS) in Modesto. She had attended Sam Vaughn Elementary School and Mae Hensley Junior High. Destiny was involved in drama while she attended Ceres High School.

The heavy winter show and high winds increased the risk of falling trees. After the tree fell, rangers closed Curry Village and evacuated visitors. Park officials also closed Upper Pines and Camp 4 due to adverse weather conditions.

Around the same time as the Yosemite accident, various sections of Stanislaus County were pelted by hail.

A gofundme account was started to help the family deal with burial expenses. It was seeking $8,000 and is accessible at https://www.gofundme.com/destiny-borges-passed-funeral-funds. In the first hour 13 people had contributed $735. By press time yesterday the account reflected gifts of $9,760 donated by 175 people.

She leaves behind her sister, Bethany Borges of Ceres; and her mother, Summer Warthan of Ceres; and her boyfriend Alex Ortega.