Teenage car crash tragedy: Two dead, one fighting for her life and three others hospitalized after they lost control of car and smashed it into family’s home
Two people have died and four are in hospital, including a teenager fighting for her life after the driver of the car they were in lost control and crashed into an Arizona family’s home.
Aiden Ellis, 19, and Shane Johnson, 20, were killed when the vehicle crashed into a Peoria home on April 14.
Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene while Ellis was rushed to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
“My heart is broken and my life as I know it is over,” Ellis’ devastated father Logan wrote in a post on Facebook. ‘I can’t stop crying because the pain is unbearable. I am beside myself with grief.’
Four others were also taken for treatment, including 18-year-old Grand Canyon University student Zalia Oliva, who is clinging to life after serious spinal injuries.
Zalia Oliva, 18, is fighting for her life after a vehicle she was riding in crashed into an Arizona family’s home on April 14
Aiden Ellis, 19, was one of two people killed in the crash after the car crashed into the home in Peoria, Arizona
Shane Johnson, 20, was also pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Peoria. None of the residents of the home were injured.
Another member of the hospitalized group was also said to have life-threatening injuries, while the rest suffered ‘significant’ damage, according to police.
The horror collision occurred after the driver failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into the house.
Images show the black 2018 Infiniti Q60 crashing through a block wall and partially entering the home.
Miraculously, there were no injuries among the residents of the house.
The incident is under investigation by the Peoria Police Department’s Traffic Services Unit, with detectives still trying to determine if speed or impairment played a role.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone who provided assistance during this tragic incident,” the department said.
Neighbor Nick Cipti described the moment she heard the enormous impact to AZ Family.
“I was getting ready to go to sleep and it was around midnight and I heard what sounded like loud thunder,” he said.
Ellis was transported to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries
The teenager had just celebrated his 19th birthday and was an organ donor, meaning his death will save others
Police say the crash happened after the car ran a stop sign and crashed into the home
Oliva suffered serious spinal injuries and multiple fractures, which will require at least 3 months of rehabilitation to heal
He ran outside and saw his teenage neighbors trying to help at the scene.
“They ran there, immediately called the police and called back to the house to get help from others,” he said.
Ellis’ family are devastated by the loss of the “sweet, kind and generous child” who was an organ donor, meaning he will hopefully help save lives.
His father described him as an avid hunter and Harley Davidson enthusiast who was largely a straight-A student.
Ellis had just celebrated his 19th birthday and got his first tattoo in honor of his family. a GoFundMe was founded to support his loved ones.
Oliva is an ambitious police officer who hopes to follow in the footsteps of her other family members who work in the police force.
“She’s not a quitter, not this girl. She’s a fighter. She is going to fight to the bitter end,” her aunt Mary McConnell told AZ Family.
‘She’s doing well, we know that. We just want her to rest. We want her to heal, and we want her to feel God’s presence with her.”
Detectives are now investigating whether speed or impairment played a role in the accident
Oliva is an aspiring police officer studying criminal justice at Grand Canyon University
Oliva’s family has traveled from abroad to be at her bedside and is currently raising money through GoFundMe to support their stay.
She suffered multiple neck, skull and facial fractures in the crash, as well as a broken pelvis and arm.
A long road to recovery lies ahead, with doctors predicting she will need at least three months of rehabilitation.
The identities of the remaining survivors have not yet been made public, but well-wishers are invited to pray outside the hospital on Saturday.
‘They are not forgotten. We fight together with them. We pray together with them. We serve our mighty God and we know the Lord is with us,” McConnell said.