EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 26-year-old man and and 36-year-old woman were killed in the same Arizona crash that claimed the life of Franklin High football player Emmanuel Lopez, Arizona Department of Public Safety (ADPS) said on Thursday, Sept. 19.
ADPS says Juan Emilio Moreno, 26, from Sunland Park, New Mexico, and Christina Cecilia Sanchez, 34, from El Paso, died in the crash last Saturday, Sept. 14 along I-10 near San Simon, Arizona, near the state line with New Mexico.
A family member of Lopez confirmed to KTSM earlier in the week that Lopez was killed in the Arizona crash and that he was traveling with other family members and another person.
ADPS says a total of three patients were transported to a hospital after the collision, and of those patients remains in the hospital with critical injuries.
As we have previously reported, the crash happened just after 5 p.m. that Saturday along I-10 near San Simon. A commercial truck was traveling east on I-10 when one of its tires blew out. The truck crossed the median and struck an SUV that was traveling westbound.
Three people were ejected from the SUV and were pronounced dead at the scene, ADPS said. Two other people in the SUV were airlifted to a hospital with critical injuries. The driver of the truck was also airlifted but they did not specify the extent of his injuries.
The crash started a fire in the tractor-trailer, according to ADPS.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with Lopez’s funeral expenses. You can learn more by clicking here.
Many friends, classmates, and teammates, gathered at Franklin High School last Sunday, Sept. 15, to remember Lopez. An official vigil was held the following Monday, Sept. 16.
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