Family, friends mourn teen girl killed in Bronx crash: 'A beautiful soul'
SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A community in Rockland County is in mourning as friends and family came together to remember the life of a 15-year-old girl and pray for the recovery of her best friend.
Both were riding in a car doing stunts in the Bronx over the weekend when the driver crashed. A second man from Brooklyn was also killed.
"Thank you, thank you all. I love you so much," Nancy Villagomez said tearfully to the many people who gathered at her family's home Monday night.
During an intimate prayer vigil for Sabrina Villagomez-Gonzalez, her mother and father were reduced to tears and cries of unspeakable pain.
The daughter they called "their whole world" was killed in a violent stunt driving accident early Sunday morning in Hunts Point.
Mourners gathered inside to pray for the 15-year-old.
"She had a beautiful smile and a beautiful soul and she will be dearly missed," best friend Devin Charles said.
The teen's childhood friend and neighbor, Emily Wagnac, was upstate at college when she got the tragic news.
"I've experienced loss before but none as painful as this. I can't really cry anymore," Wagnac said.
Villagomez-Gonzalez was with another friend joyriding inside a Chrysler 300, with Aaliyah Torres, 17, who remains in critical condition.
"They were like two peas in a pod," Charles said.
Both attended Ramapo High School.
"This news is devastating for our entire East Ramapo school community and our hearts are with
the families and friends of these two students," Clarence Ellis, the superintendent of schools for the East Ramapo Central School District, said in a statement.
The driver, a 23-year-old, has been hospitalized too. A fourth person, 21-year-old Gilvante “Gio” Roberson, was killed as well.
The NYPD has not yet filed charges as the investigation continues.
NYPD officials issued a stern warning after a weekend filled with drag racing, drifting and drivers doing donuts across New York City, even closing a highway.
“The message is very clear: we’re not going to tolerate that,” NYPD Assistant Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said.
Friends said the teen girl's parents weren't aware they had left to go stunt driving with older males.
"May your prayers be for Aaliyah, may your prayers be for Sabrina. Remember guys, choices. Start doing the right thing," Spring Valley Detective Rony Charles said to a group of young people who wiped away tears.
A GoFundMe page has been created to support the family of Sabrina Villagomez-Gonzalez.