Two young Cubans, identified as Reysis Hernández and Mel Viera, tragically lost their lives on October 6th in a horrific traffic accident in Lehigh, Florida. Their family is now reaching out for support to cover funeral expenses.
The families, originally from the Cuban town of Bejucal, have launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to help with the costs of the funeral services. They are appealing to friends, acquaintances, and other Cubans living in the United States for assistance. Ellimay Hernández, who organized the campaign, wrote on the GoFundMe page, "I am organizing this fundraiser for the funeral services of two beloved young individuals who tragically died in a car accident. The parents are enduring a heartbreaking and desperate time, compounded by the overwhelming funeral costs. Any contribution will be immensely appreciated by the family."
The fatal accident occurred as the young men were traveling west in a sedan along Lee Boulevard, just east of Lee Street. The driver, a 23-year-old man from Cape Coral, lost control of the vehicle while navigating a curve. The car jumped the median and collided head-on with another vehicle traveling east. The crash also involved a third car.
The sedan's driver and three of its passengers, including Reysis Hernández and Mel Viera, died at the scene. A passenger from the second vehicle sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Gulf Coast Medical Center. Others involved in the accident suffered severe injuries and were also taken to nearby hospitals.
Community Response and Fundraising Efforts
The Bejucal community and friends of the families have shown significant solidarity, and the fundraising campaign is nearing its goal of $11,000. The GoFundMe campaign, organized by Ellimay Hernández, has garnered widespread support and can be found under her name.