Friends, Family Remember Teen Killed In Late Night Crash
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It was a somber gathering Sunday night at The Woodlands neighborhood in Miami where a crash killed a teenager and sent four others to the hospital.
A Friday night celebration for five lifelong friends ended in tragedy. Early Saturday morning, the car they were driving in crashed against a wall at S.W. 62nd Street and S.W. 138th Pass.
Miami-Dade Police said the driver, 18-year-old Nedian Alvarez, was killed instantly.
The four passengers, all 18 years of age, had to be extricated from the mangled Nissan Altima.
"We do know speed played a big factor and one individual said they had been drinking. We know alcohol is involved," said Miami-Dade Police detective Alvaro Zabaleta.
Friends said Alvarez was reaching his goals and was about to become a father.
"He had just gotten his GED," said Oscar Martinez. "He's a really hardworking kid."
Others said they've lost a brother.
"Ned is like my little brother," said Anthony Priato. "This is my second family, sad to lose him so young."
At the crash scene Saturday night, Alvarez's friends wrote messages and left candles burning.
"I feel like he was always there for me," said Vincent Fuentes. "I've got to be there for him."
As they grieve for their friend, they are also praying for the four passengers who remain hospitalized; DeAndre Cabrali, Cesar Lizarzaburu, George Pong and David Cuadros.
Cuadros, who was in the front seat, was critically hurt.