A man in Virginia was recently arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter after a high-speed collision killed a pastor’s 17-year-old daughter and critically injured three teenagers.
As reported by the Daily Voice, Jose Angel Zelaya of Burke, Virginia, was arrested in connection with the crash that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Rebekah “Bekah” Zarco. Meanwhile, Bekah’s brother David, and two other teens were critically injured.
The accident, which took place on July 18, took place on Burke Center Parkway after an evening prayer service at a local church that the teens had attended.
Zelaya’s condition remains unknown. Bekah, who was driving the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“She always liked stuffed animals. Thought I would bring her one,” her uncle, Henry Zarco, told NBC Washington as he placed the bear, flowers, and balloon at the crash scene.
“I mean, she always had a smile on her face, and that’s the image that I have in my head. 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.”
As Christian Headlines previously reported, Bekah recently graduated from Robinson Secondary School and was set to attend George Mason University in the fall, where she would have begun her first year as an engineering student.
Bekah’s father, William Zarco, has created a GoFundMe account in which all proceeds would go to their family.
“Rebekah’s beautiful soul and kind nature touched everyone she encountered, and her absence will be deeply felt. The grieving process has been made even more challenging for us as her younger brother, David, a talented soccer player and musician himself, and his two friends, remain in the ICU,” a statement on the fundraiser page reads.
According to The Christian Post, the Zarco family also thanked everyone for the outpouring of love, prayers and support directed toward them.
The post ended by referencing Revelation 21:4, which reads, “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
As of Thursday, the GoFundMe account raised nearly $82,000.
Related:
Teen Killed, 3 Others Critically Injured in Firey Head-On Collision while Heading Home from Church
Photo courtsy: ©Getty Images/Althom
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for Christian Headlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.