JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A pair of families is coping with the loss of their loved ones after a 40-year-old man, his son and his son's friend died last weekend in a traffic accident.
Victor Villareal, Jeremy Villareal, 11, and Kyle Owens, 13, were killed Saturday during a violent crash. For Christina Thompson, Rhonda Aucoin and their families, the news is still devastating.
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"It's very hard," Aucoin said. "It was very unexpected. It makes you look back on your own life and realize the way you lived and the things that mattered to you."
Authorities said Victor Villareal lost control of his sport utility vehicle after one of the tires blew. His vehicle ran off the road and smashed into a tree, ejecting everyone inside.
Victor Villareal Jr., 13, was also in the SUV. He was the only survivor.
His aunt said her brother was driving back from taking the children skydiving.
"He went and splurged and bought an SUV that he thought would be safe two weeks ago, and as they were driving back, the left tire split, which caused the truck to spin and (it) started flipping," Christian Thompson said.
Villareal Jr. is at Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center in critical condition. His family said he is improving, but with rising medical costs and little insurance, the family is asking for public support.
"Anything you have to spare, if you could please donate, it would help us tremendously," Aucoin said.
Both families have opened up separate trust fund accounts. Donations can be made to any VyStar Credit Union for the Villareal family. Owens' account is in his sister's name for her scholarship fund; donations can be made at any Wachovia.