A fatal auto accident took two young lives on Sept. 8, sending waves of grief through the community.
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OKEECHOBEE – A fatal auto accident took two young lives on Sept. 8, sending waves of grief through the community.
“Our community lost two children this morning. These were our babies too!” Leah Suarez, of Our Village Okeechobee, posted on social media on Friday morning.
Anatalia and Antonio Garcia Navarrete were on their way to school when they were killed in a crash on U.S. 441 near the site of the old School for Boys.
Community members gathered at an outdoor prayer vigil on the grounds of Christ Fellowship Church, 701 S. Parrott Avenue on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 10 to remember the siblings with prayers, songs and tears.
Speakers at the vigil included Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen, Okeechobee High School Principal Lauren Myers, Leah Suarez of Our Village and Pastor Matt Bowen.
The sheriff asked the community to wrap the family in love and support as they face this terrible tragedy.
Myers said Okeechobee High School and the community are also grieving another teen who died just weeks ago.
She urged those present to help each other and to have faith.
“I don’t know how to have the right words as your principal, as a colleague, as a mentor, as a friend … but I know somebody who does,” she said.
Suarez said Our Village has counselors available to meet with those who need someone to talk to.
Bowen told those in attendance to look at those around them holding candles. “There’s a light in this community. That light is in your neighbor,” he said.
Our Village is collecting donations to help the family with funeral expenses. There is also a GoFundMe.com page for the family.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol media report issued Sept. 11, the accident occurred on Sept. 8, at 6:54 a.m. Vehicle 1, a Toyota Tacoma, driven by a 17-year-old female from Okeechobee was southbound on U.S. 441. A 15-year-old male passenger was in the car. Vehicle 2, a Ford Expedition, was southbound on U.S. 441, driven by a 41-year-old male, also from Okeechobee.
The FHP report states: “V-1 was traveling south on US Highway 441 within the southbound travel lane. V-2 was traveling south on US Highway 441 within the northbound travel lane. Driver of V-1 failed to maintain within a single lane and traveled into the northbound lane in front of V-2. Driver of V-2 swerved to the right to avoid V-1. The front left of V-1 collided with the front right of V-2. Both vehicles came to a controlled stop on the outside right grass shoulder of US Highway 441. Both driver and passenger of V-1 were pronounced deceased on scene by fire rescue. This is still an ongoing investigation.”
The driver of V-2 was seriously injured, according to the report.
UPDATE: After the story above was published on this website, the Lake Okeechobee News received information that puts some of the FHP report in question. We contacted FHP and received this response on Sept. 13: "This is a traffic homicide investigation. We do not release any information until investigation is closed. This investigation takes 90-120 days." The Lake Okeechobee News will continue to follow up on the story when more information is released.
