Funeral To Be Held Monday For Victims Of Crash On Okeechobee Road
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Family, friends, and community members are expected to gather Monday for the funeral of a father and daughter killed in a fiery crash on Okeechobee Road Wednesday evening.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, the life of Arturo Montenegro,47, and that of his 6-year-old daughter were cut short by a speeding car.
A Mass and funeral will be held Monday starting at 10: 00 a.m. at 14990 West Dixie Highway.
Those wanting to pay their respects gathered for a vigil Sunday at the site of the crash, followed by a wake.
A former coworker of Montenegro was at the vigil.
" They did a great part in our community...They were always there for us," said Stephanie Otero. " Everybody is just sad. It truly hurts."
Montenegro was a single father and neighbors told CBS4's Peter D'Oench they were inseparable.
The flames from the collision were so intense that one car was still smoking hours after it was towed away.
FHP said a northbound BMW driven by 29-year-old Miguel Gonzalez lost control, crossed the median and hit Montenegro's Honda Civic head on just after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Gonzalez's 56-year-old father Lazaro Palacio was also killed. FHP said Gonzalez was speeding.
"It's just everyone is in such a rush to do something. It's just horrible. It is heartbreaking," said Drew Santora, the uncle of the little girl.
"It's one of the baddest things I've ever seen. Anytime you have so many lives lost, anytime you have a child like this it impacts all of us," said FHP Trooper Joe Sanchez.
FHP said alcohol was not a factor in the accident. It also appears the BMW that struck the Montenegro's was not racing another car. It was just going much too fast. FHP does have a few witnesses but is urging anyone who saw the speeding BMW before the accident to come forward.
