Nine years after Kristina was taken from us, the Livermore community found a way to make her name permanent. The City of Livermore installed a street sign reading Bella Kristina Lane in the neighborhood where she grew up — visible from her own bedroom window.
The story behind the name belongs to Rose and Chuck Smith, neighbors who owned a small ranch behind the Chesterman home. When they sold the land to a developer, they had one requirement: the new street had to be named after Kristina.
"She was like a child to me. I want her name to be there. I want it to be forever."
— Rose Smith
For Sandra, seeing that sign is something she carries close.
"She was such a family person. It just reminds me of how important family was to her."
— Sandra Chesterman
"There's a hole in my heart and that fills it up a little bit."
— Sandra Chesterman
Kristina was 21 years old when she was struck by a drunk driver while cycling home from the library at Chico State on September 22, 2013. She was a nursing student with her whole life ahead of her. The driver served seven years in prison.
Bella Kristina Lane stands as a permanent reminder of who she was — and the love her community has never stopped carrying for her.
Story originally reported by Katie Nielsen, CBS News San Francisco, September 23, 2022.