ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol are asking for witnesses to come forward following a deadly crash on Florida's Turnpike. A family of three was traveling from Georgia to Orlando when they were killed in the two-car wreck that happened early Sunday morning. FHP troopers say Thomas Garza, fiancée Lillian Luna and their baby, Brianna, all died at the scene.
Lillian's sister, Elataly Luna, told FOX 35 that Brianna had just celebrated her first birthday. "They were going to take her to the beach, and according to how things went, and the weather and all they were going to take her to Disney World."
Troopers said 24-year-old James Dameron rear-ended the family in their Nissan, as he driving a Mercedes SUV. Investigators said both vehicles turned on their sides and caught on fire. "We don't know which scenario played out on the turnpike. We would like witnesses to come forward if they did see anything either prior to the crash or after the crash," said FHP Sgt Kim Montes.
According to investigators, Dameron was driving on a suspended license. Court records show he had 13 traffic infractions since 2013, the majority of which were for speeding, but he also had one citation for texting while driving driving. Dameron also has a criminal record involving an arrest back in June for possession of methamphetamine and resisting an officer.
When asked why Damerson has not been jailed for the suspended licens, Montes responded, "The problem is, if we do, speedy trial starts for our case, and if we don't have every amount of documentation done in 180 days, we could lose that case."
Luna said, "Maybe if he would have followed the law and stayed off the road we could have had our family with us today." She has created an account to help pay for funeral expenses. "We're asking for funds because we need help with their burial and transferring, them from Florida to their original hometown. Keeping them in our hearts and trying to stay strong as possibly as we can."
The account can be found here: http://www.gofundme.com/zs3mqz5w