IRVINE – Thirteen-year-old Teresa Johnston – hospitalized with what officials called life-threatening injuries after a tree fell on her during Friday’s storm – has the prayers and support of her community.

More than 50 people from Irvine’s University Park community turned out for a candle-lit vigil Sunday evening to pray for her and offer assistance to the Johnston family.

A tree around 40 feet tall collapsed about 5 p.m. Friday as the girl was walking alone through a neighborhood greenbelt near Dewberry Way and Sandburg Way, said Capt. Steve Horner of the Orange County Fire Authority.

He said Teresa sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana, where the family said she was under critical care Sunday with brain trauma.

“She was going to go walk some dogs,” said her sister Misha, 20, describing Teresa’s dog-walking business. “She didn’t even make it there … three minutes from the house, probably … the tree fell on her.

“She is a beautiful person,” Misha said. “One of the happiest people I have ever known.”

“She is the sunshine of the neighborhood,” said Tom Sybersma, a neighbor. “Everybody knows Teresa.”

Word about the accident spread through a University Park neighborhood website, and neighbors quietly gathered to pray and voice solidarity with the family.

“I know almost all these people from walking dogs and living here 30 years,” resident Avram Grossman said, “but we really very rarely interact with one another. Everyone has their own lives. But when a crisis like this happens, people pull together.”

Misha Johnston told the group that what the family needs most now is prayers, but the family also has created a fundraising page at youcaring.com.

Contact the writer: fswegles@scng.com or 949-492-5127