Two 18-year-olds have been identified as the victims who died in a fiery crash on Memorial Day in Virginia Gardens.
Gian Carlos Moncada was driving a Nissan sedan at the intersection of Northwest 36th Street and Northwest 57th Avenue when it crashed into an Infiniti. The impact caused the Nissan to crash into a Chevy van.
Moncada and his passenger, identified by family as Kevin Davila, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Infiniti, 46-year-old Omar Amador Izquierdo, was transported to the hospital in serious condition, but he is expected to recover, police said.
The driver of the Chevy van was not injured.
Davila just turned 18 the week before and was supposed to celebrate his graduation from Miami Senior High School tihs week with his family. A GoFundMe was established to help with funeral expenses.
Horrific crash leaves two people dead on NW 36th Street just north of Miami Intl Airport. Reminder that left turns can be extremely dangerous. Condolences to the families involved. @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/HSD3RzAbxP
— Ari Odzer (@ariodzernbc6) May 27, 2019
"We are in pain, but we know his soul is with God right now," said his aunt, Jenni Arroyo.
Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho sent his condolences on Twitter to the five Miami-Dade County Public Schools students who have died in crashes over the past few days: two in Virginia Gardens, and the three teens who were hit by a driver in Little Haiti over the weekend.
"What has traditionally been a time of celebration at the culmination of another successful year turned somber after 5 MDCPS students were killed in just 2 days in horrific accidents," Carvahlo tweeted. "We mourn for families who will never see their children's dreams realized."
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said when they responded to the crash, one of the vehicles was on fire. Cell phone footage showed flames and smoke pouring out of the car just after impact.
Footage showed the two cars involved in the crash damaged at the scene, with debris scattered all over the roadway.
Traffic homicide detectives determined speed was a factor in the crash, police said.
