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SAN JOSE — A day after a young mother died in a possible DUI crash that also killed a teenage boy, her friends and family grieved the loss while enduring some harsh criticism on social media.

A roadside memorial of flowers, candles and beer containers sprang up on Capitol Expressway near Snell Avenue at the site of the fatal Christmas collision, where loved ones of Jessica Marie Zamora, 25, held vigils Sunday and Monday nights.

But the display early Monday of alcohol — a traditional tribute for some — stirred an online controversy because police have identified alcohol as a possible factor in the crash. Commenters lashed out at Zamora for causing the wreck and lambasted the display as insensitive.

Weeping loved ones of Zamora removed beer cans and begged friends to refrain from bringing more.

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“She made a mistake, and nobody’s perfect,” a tearful Natalie Rojas, grieving over the loss of her best friend, said at the vigil Monday night. “But people need to stop talking bad about her.”

Rojas and a woman who identified herself as Zamora’s younger sister said they are also devastated by the loss of the unidentified 14-year-old boy who was a passenger in the other car.

“We want to tell the family that we’re so sorry about what happened,” Rojas said. “No one deserves to die like that.”

Family members said they are caring for Zamora’s 5-year-old daughter.

The crash was reported shortly before 12:30 a.m. Sunday after the driver of a 2012 Chevy Malibu, traveling west on Capitol, crossed over the center median, police said. The Malibu, operated by Zamora, struck a silver 2004 Lexus driven by a man traveling with his wife and teenage son, all from San Jose.

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Everyone involved in the collision was rushed to a hospital, where the 14-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries.

The mother and father of the teen victim were treated for injuries that were not life-threatening. The identities of those killed were not publicly released pending formal notification of kin, and efforts to reach the teen’s family were not successful.

But distraught friends identified Zamora. Rojas called her a hardworking single mother, an independent spirit who could be depended on to be there, anytime. She had texted with Zamora shortly before the crash.

“She wanted to come over, but I was so tired I said no,” Rojas said.

“Bestie please b careful,” Rojas texted at 10:59 p.m. “Tomorrow we going to kick it for sure ok love u.”

Zamora responded with a row of mischievous, smiling emojis. The next morning, after hearing there’d been an accident, Rojas frantically texted her friend, begging her to call.

“I just didn’t believe it was true,” Rojas said.

The collision remains under investigation, but police said it appears that “alcohol influence may be a factor associated to the female driver.” Johnny Ha, manager of El Rancho Sports Bar in San Jose, said Zamora had two drinks at the bar Saturday night.

The assertion that Zamora may have been drinking and driving surprised some friends.

“For her to make a decision like this was a shock to me,” said Missa Lozano, who described Zamora as bubbly, independent and very responsible.

“Jessica was and is loved and will forever be missed,” Zamora’s cousin, Sabrina Michelle Arredondo-Gonzales, said in a written response to a reporter. “She was a hard-working single mother and did a damn good job of it.”

A tearful Rochelle Ybarra, who identified herself as Zamora’s godmother, apologized for the crash. “I’m so sorry that this happened — on Christmas,” she told NBC Bay Area. “I hope that anybody out there that does drink and drive, please make a better choice, and save others’ lives.”

The deaths marked the 49th and 50th traffic fatalities in San Jose in 2016. There were 60 such deaths recorded in 2015.

Anyone with information about the collision is encouraged to contact traffic Detective Kevin McMillin at 408-277-4654.

Check back later for updates to this story.

Westbound on Capitol approaching Snell