A teenage girl died and three other teens were seriously injured in a fiery two-car collision in Burke, Virginia, on Tuesday (July 18), according to Fairfax County police.
A family member of the girl told FOX5 that the group of four, which included the deceased’s younger brother, had just left an evening prayer service at church and was planning on going somewhere to eat.
Bystanders attempted to pull the teenagers from the burning car before firefighters arrived. The teenage girl, who was driving the car, was declared dead at the scene.
The three other teens involved remain in the hospital. While their condition is unknown, Henry Zarco, uncle to the deceased and her brother, said that his nephew is “fighting for his life.”
“Prayers out to my other nephew, her brother,” Zarco said. “We’d appreciate that very much.”
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The adult driver in the other vehicle was also injured. Police believe the adult’s vehicle “slammed” head-on into the car carrying the four teens, causing it to catch fire. The driver’s current condition is unknown. There were no other passengers.
Zarco described his niece as a young girl of faith who had just graduated from high school and was enrolled at George Mason University in Fairfax for this upcoming fall.
Placing a stuffed bear, flowers, and a balloon near the scene of the crash, Zarco told NBC Washington, “She always liked stuffed animals. Thought I would bring her one.”
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“I mean, she always had a smile on her face, and that’s the image that I have in my head,” Zarco said. “She gave her all. She gave her life to God and served. And it’s just the hardest thing ever, you know. I just don’t understand why.”
