4 deaths in the crash on the weekend, sole survivor released from the hospital

Kissimmee, Fla. – – Four people were killed in a tragic crash on March 1st in Central Florida, including three young men from the local Muslim community and left a survivor.

“It is only heartbreaking and such a shame”

What we know:

A tragic crash on March 1, shortly before 11 p.m., according to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), called for four people after two cars had come together on the Central Florida Parkway.

The victims included Raul Gomez (26) and IMALAY Camacho Castano (23), who were in a BMW, and Moad Machti (21) and Sammy Lahik (18), who were in a Toyota Camry. The driver of the Camry was the only survivor and has been released from the hospital since then.

The authorities say speed is a factor and a driver may have tried to overtake the other before the crash. The examination continues.

What we don't know:

Officials have not yet confirmed which driver was to blame or what precise speed the vehicles drove. It is also unclear whether additional factors such as impairment or mechanical failure have contributed to the crash.

The condition and identity of the surviving driver were not published publicly, and the authorities have not published any updates on potential fees.

The background story:

Machti, Lahik and the surviving driver were members of the same mosque and were on the way to a soccer field after leaving evening prayers. The crash occurred only 15 minutes after her trip.

For the local Muslim community, the loss is particularly devastating when it occurred during the Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting, prayer and reflection.

Family and friends gathered in the mosque and at the crash site, where Castano's family has remembered flowers.

Big Picture View:

The crash left the Muslim community in central florida in mourning when hundreds gathered in the mosque to honor the victims. The tragedy also underlines the dangers of speed overruns and ruthless driving, which are still important concerns on the streets of Florida.

Lahik was described as a promising young man who had just received a full ride scholarship at Duke University. His loss, together with the others, deeply influenced those who knew them.

The funeral services are already underway, and Lahik was relaxed on Monday and the funeral of Machtis was planned for Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at the Muslim cemetery in Central Florida.

What you say:

The community member Jillian Mraidi spoke about the deep effects of the loss. All three young men in the Camry were members of the same mosque.

“I don't know a single person in our community who does not know any of these boys or their family members,” said Jillian Mraidi.

Mraidi said her son Ahmad grew up with all three. They went together to the mosque, the Arab class and the Islamic school, but Ahmad had a special connection to Machti.

“He was always what a role model was called,” said Ahmad Mraidi. “You know, he was always someone you could see.”

Now the Muslim community mourns central florida. On Monday, hundreds of people gathered in the mosque to honor the victims.

“It is only heartbreaking and so too bad. Sammy had a full scholarship for Duke; it was only accepted last month,” said Mraidi. “Thank God, they all come from strong Muslim families, so I think their belief in the family will bring them through.”

The young men went to a soccer field after the mosque, said Mraidi. Fifteen minutes after the tragedy of the trip. According to the FHP, one of the drivers of the vehicle tried to overtake the other and the two. Speed ​​was a factor. The crash is still being examined.

“Just the trauma for everyone,” said Mraidi. “It is an unbearable, absolutely unbearable that you can think of.”

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