PLANT CITY, Fla. -- Two teenagers were killed in a crash Thursday afternoon, and the driver of the car was in critical condition on the same day he was to graduate from Mulberry High School.
Investigators say Edilberto Nava-Marcos, 18, was northbound on State Road 39 nearing Trapnell Road in the left turn lane when he turned left into the path of a vehicle heading southbound. His vehicle then he struck another driver who was stopped at the intersection.
Two passengers in Nava-Marcos' vehicle -- Pepe Salgado, 18, and Frinzi Salgado-Diaz, 15, both of Mulberry -- died in the crash.
Nava-Marcos is a senior at Mulberry High and was scheduled to graduate Thursday night, according to the Polk County School District,
The district said Pepe Salgado is a former Mulberry High student now attending New Beginnings High School. Salgado-Diaz was a ninth-grader at Mulberry High.
Superintendent Jacqueline M. Byrd plans to visit Edilberto’s family to offer her support.
Here is a statement from Byrd:
“We are deeply saddened. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the students’ families. With this happening so suddenly, I want to respect the privacy of the families while they deal with this tragic incident.”
Here is a statement from Michael Young, principal of Mulberry High:
“This is a very sad day for our school and community. We are mourning the loss of Frinzi and Pepe, and are praying for Edilberto as he remains in the hospital. Our hearts go out to their families.
"Frinzi was a friend to everyone at Mulberry High. She had a great smile, a positive attitude, and worked well with her classmates. She also loved her agriculture class and enjoyed working with animals.
"Pepe was a former student at Mulberry Middle and Mulberry High. We knew him as a talented athlete with a passion for soccer. He loved his family deeply. Pepe was outgoing and had a great sense of humor. He also was a focused young man who was determined to better himself.
" ‘Eddie’ is well-liked by his peers and has a wonderful, bright smile. He is respectful of everyone, and his teachers say he is a hardworking student who is very diligent in his studies. He also loves soccer and played for Mulberry High this year.”
New Beginnings High School released this statement:
"We, the staff and students, at New Beginnings High School are saddened today by the sudden loss of Pepe Salgado, a student at New Beginnings High School and his sister Frinzi Salgado-Diaz. We wish to express our sincerest condolences to the family and friends. Our hope is that they are comforted by the love and prayers surrounding them."
