Five young people were killed in a horrific car crash caused by a wrong-way driver who previously lost his license to speeding.
Four young women and one young man aged from 18 to 25 died on Saturday after a head-on collision with a man who was driving the wrong on the Palmetto Expressway near Miami, Florida.
All five victims died on impact. They have since been identified as Giancarlo Arias, Briana Pacalagua, Daniella Marcano, Valeria Peña, and Valeria Cáceres.
Meanwhile, the driver responsible for the deadly accident has been identified as 30-year-old Maiky Simeon.
The suspect was rushed to the hospital following the crash and has since been arrested on several counts of vehicular manslaughter.
Authorities have confirmed that Simeon was driving at high speed at the time of the collision. He allegedly passed at least one mile while driving the wrong way before the crash.
“There were no pre-collision skid marks or evidence on the roadway indicating that the defendant took any evasive actions to avoid the crash,” the Florida Highway Patrol revealed.
It has since also been revealed that the suspect lost his driving license in 2014 after he was caught driving at 109 mph. At the time of the Miami car crash, however, he reportedly had an active license.
Following the horrific head-on collision, relatives and friends of the victims spoke out and paid touching tributes to the youths.
“Every one of us have a bunch of good memories with her and we will cherish those moments like if it was today,” one person wrote in a tribute to “happy” and “lovely” Daniella Marcano, 19.
Meanwhile, the sister of Valeria Cáceres said: “She was so young and full of life and loved by so many. Remember to always drive safe and let the people that are the closest to you know that you love them.”
Recalling Briana Pacalagua, her sister Kiara said her sibling was a “kind, lovely, amazing, sweet, caring and happy person” who took caution every time she was on the road.
“In my personal experience with Vale, she was always very sweet, although a little reserved, she always had the best intentions with me and her motivating words! And I have no doubt that she was a great person with others,” another tribute dedicated to Valeria Peña read.
Tributes were also dedicated to Giancarlo Arias who became an award-winning artist at the age of just 18.
“Gian, I never got to tell you how proud I was of you,” his former teacher wrote. “You were such a talented role model and a beautiful soul. In my 21 years of teaching this is the first time I’ve ever felt such a loss.”
Our hearts go out to the victims’ families and friends.
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