Two 19-Year-Old Men Killed In Fiery Crash On Southern State Parkway
NORTH VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A fiery crash on the Southern Staten Parkway has claimed the lives of two 19-year-old Queens men.
Joseph Kelly and Justin Johnson were taking the Southern State Parkway from their hometown of Laurelton to go bowling with friends in Baldwin when the crash occurred around 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported.
Two 19-Year-Old Men Killed In Fiery Crash On Southern State Parkway
"We were in four different cars," said friend Kimberly Clyne, who was in a vehicle behind Kelly and Johnson. "We were going to the bowling alley like we usually do -- they close at 3 a.m. in Baldwin -- and everything just went wrong."
Police said Kelly failed to negotiate a turn and lost control of the vehicle, which then slammed into the Franklin Avenue overpass. The car burst into flames on impact, trapping both men inside the vehicle, police said.
Clyne said she was horrified.
"Flames; I heard it burning," Clyne said. "It blew up about three or four times."
Johnson's mother, Paula, was devastated when she received the news.
"You never expect to get a phone call at 2:30 in the morning, 'Who's your son?' 'Was he out?'" Paula Johnson said.
Now, the two heartbroken mothers are turning to each other in their time of grief, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported.
Kelly and Johnson were raised just blocks apart in Laurelton and were inseparable friends for life.
"It is the hardest thing. No mother should have to go through this, to lose your son, your 19-year-old; he is my joy," Paula Johnson said.
"I will miss him dearly. I am in shock right now to be honest. He was just a good kid; good to me, a great son. Everyone said he didn't smoke, he didn't drink -- no" said Kelly's mother, Patricia Brown. "I was blessed. He was on the Dean's List at Nassau Community. He loved life."
Friends and family gathered Tuesday afternoon, unable to accept the news.
"I am just going to wake up and this will become a crazy nightmare," said Johnson's sister, Jazmin.
"I lost my brothers more than best friends. Blood can't make us any closer. We were a family," friend Aaron Riles said.
"Smart; both had jobs, going to school full-time. I'm going to miss them a lot," said Jamila Guerra.
Kelly attended Nassau Community College; Johnson was studying to be a mechanic.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Police found no evidence of drugs or alcohol, but said speed may have been a factor, Rivera reported.
The Southern State Parkway was closed between exits 14 and 17 until just after 7 a.m., causing massive delays, CBS2 reported.
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