Fundraiser Held For Teen Killed On I-595
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COOPER CITY (CBSMiami) – Family and friends of a teenager killed in a crash on I-595 gathered Thursday at a restaurant in Cooper City to raise money for the teen's funeral.
Julie Castor, 18, died after a bizarre series of events that began when witnesses said two cars that were racing cut her off and she smashed into two walls on either side of the highway.
Investigators said Castor survived, but after she exited the car with the help of a Good Samaritan, another driver hit Castor and killed her.
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Her uncle, Scott, said Julie's death has been painful for many, but most especially her mother.
"Horrible time for everybody in the family," Scott Castor said. "That's got to be the worst thing in the world for a parent to have to bury your child."
But with each plate of wings served at Landlubbers Restaurant in Cooper City things got a tiny bit easier for Castor's family.
The restaurant donated a portion of the sales on wings, shrimp and other items help pay for Castor's funeral.
The Florida Highway Patrol said investigators are working some leads on this case but they are still looking for the drivers of those racing cars – one is believed to be a green Mustang.
Castor's family hopes the drivers turns themselves in.
"They shouldn't have been racing and it was an accident, you didn't see her," Castor said. "You cut her off. Come forward. Have some closure for the family."
Julie's family told CBS4 she loved to draw, crochet and spend time with her mom.
"She just wanted the world," Scott Castor said. "She was great. She was a wonderful kid."
Julie's family set up a Go Fund Me account to pay for funeral expenses. In a week they've raised more than $3,000.
The family knows Julie is gone forever, but they hope her death makes people think twice before racing down a South Florida roadway.
"Kids gotta realize this isn't a speedway out here," Scott Castor said. "You're not only risking your own life there are many other drivers on the road and looks what happens when you get reckless and crazy."