Two young people are dead after their car was hit by a young man who was allegedly drunk at the time of the accident. Though it happened in Florida, the family is from Virginia Beach.
The wreck occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 19. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 25-year-old man was driving toward the two when he crossed the center line and entered their lane. The devastating impact left a 22-year-old young woman and her 15-year-old brother dead. The alleged drunk driver survived the crash. He was subsequently arrested.
The victims’ family put out a short statement saying that they were at least glad that the two siblings were together at such a tragic time. “They are the best two people that I know in this whole world,” their mother said. “Bittersweet that they had to leave this earth, but they left together.”
When they lived in Virginia, the older sibling went to First Colonial High School, while the younger went to Pembroke Elementary. A few years ago, they decided to make the move to Florida, where the younger boy played basketball.
The family is getting a lot of support from their new community. At what would have been the boy’s next basketball game, the team paid tribute to him, and people have also set up a memorial at the site of the wreck.
Drunk driving happens every day, but stories like this bring home just how devastating it can be and how it can change a family’s life forever. Those who lose loved ones and victims who suffer serious injuries because of the actions of a drunk driver need to know what legal rights they have to compensation.