Memorial Planned For Teen Victims Of Deadly 836 Crash
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A memorial will be held Monday for the two teen girls killed in a violent wreck early Saturday morning on the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836).
Alejandra Maria Gomez, 17,and passenger Jenifer S. Garcia, 18, were killed when the car, driven by Gomez, struck a sign post on the westbound lanes near NW 17th Avenue. The impact was so great, the car split in two and came to a stop in the eastbound lanes of the expressway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Gomez should have never been driving as she only had her learners license.
"My sister is very responsible and if she grabbed the wheel it's because there was a very good reason for her to be the one to be driving," said Virgina Lugo, Alejandra's sister.
Gomez was wearing her seat belt during the incident, the Florida Highway Patrol report said. Garcia, the front seat passenger, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected out of her seat during the accident.
The third person in the vehicle, identified as Tatiana Davila, 18, was taken to Ryder Trauma Center. She was in the back seat of the 2001 Saturn Sl2, police said.
"That section of the car was projected about a hundred feet," said Carlos Davila, Tatiana's father. "She was inside the seat and the seat belt actually kept her inside which is what saved her bottom line."
He said Davila has made it through her second surgery and is heavily sedated. He hopes his agonizing lesson can help others.
"Love your children," said Davila choking up. "Appreciate them. Keep them near you. Keep them safe no matter how much they think you're harping. Let them know you're harping for their well being"
The girls will be buried on Tuesday in a private ceremony.
