Families Mourn Brooklyn Center Crash Victims
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two families are now preparing to say their final goodbyes to the children they lost in a car accident Saturday night that police say could have been avoided.
Jessica Vallis just turned 21 on March 1. George Kaffey was 22. The two had dated for a couple of years, but after a recent break up, had decided to stay friends.
Kaffey's family could not hide their pain.
Not only did they learn that the 22-year-old was killed in a crash, they then found out he was the victim of a drunk driver -- a drunk driver who police say had a history of drinking before getting behind the wheel.
"It's just complete disregard and on top of it, he takes off from the scene after he kills two people," said Lt. Eric Roeske, of the Minnesota State Patrol.
Kaffey was a college student who had plans of a career in computers. He was known for his upbeat personality.
"You hear about these things but you wouldn't think it would happen to you," said his sister, Zeph Kaffey. "He was just really happy all the time, he smiled a lot."
Alongside him when he died, was Vallis. The two met in high school and stayed great friends, even dated at one point.
"Everything happens for a reason and you can't really question why it happens but yeah," his sister said.
Vallis' family didn't want to go on camera but said she was going to school to become an accountant and was just starting her life.
They issued the following statement on behalf of the family:
"She was a wonderful daughter, sister, twin sister, niece and friend. Jessica was funny, giving, smart, loved animals and driven to fulfill her hopes and dreams. She would hope others will live, as she was an organ and tissue donor. In just a moment of a bad decision by the other driver, it was all taken away. She will be greatly missed. Our condolences to the Kaffey family as well."
Zeph said she believes her older brother wouldn't want to see his family in tears -- he'd rather see them smile.
"He wants people to be happy, too, and not be sad about him dying, I think," she said.
Twenty-one-year-old Yeng Vue of Minneapolis and 28-year-old Choua Yang, of Brooklyn Center, were arrested. Police say both were intoxicated. Vue was driving at the time of the collision.
