http://www.azfamily.com/story/33415182/family-members-of-sisters-in-glendale-crash-cope-with-pain
Family members of sisters in Glendale crash cope with pain
Posted: Oct 18, 2016 8:47 AM EDT
Tuesday, October 18, 2016 7:19 PM
By Phil Benson
phil.benson_at_cbs5az.com
GLENDALE, AZ (KPHO/KTVK) -
As two injured teens fight to live, family members of a 16-year-old
girl killed in a crash are coping with her death.
They’re also praying for the recovery of the pair still hospitalized.
One of them, Bana Giorgis, is the dead girl’s sister.
The family says when Yohana Giorgis died, the world lost a loving soul
and a teen with a bright future ahead.
“She's just upbeat,” said cousin Ruta Tewoldenedhin. “She's always
happy. She would just walk into a room and brighten up your day.”
Bana and Yohana Giorgis were twins and best friends.
[RELATED: Friends remember two teens killed in car crash in Glendale]
We just know they were excited about this homecoming,” Tewoldenedhin
said. “They were talking about it for a while.”
“Excited for everything,” said cousin Sarah Bahlbi.
Friday night, they were on their way home from shopping for senior
prom when their small car was hit by a possible drunken driver at 59th
Avenue and Camelback Road.
Yohana and a friend, Isia Slater, were killed. Bana and another person
were badly hurt.
“They were not only my cousins and my best friends and my sisters and
I just saying all of this is kind of crazy to me,” Bahlbi said. “I
feel like it’s a dream.”
Firefighters from the Glendale and Phoenix Fire Departments worked
together to rescue patients who were trapped in the collision.
Fire crews utilized their hydraulic extrication equipment to free them
from the wreckage.
“To hear the news that this happened to our little girl, it hurts just
because the fact that people are making dumb decisions and taking away
young lives,” Tewoldenedhin said.
Love and support is pouring in. At their high school, Betty Fairfax, a
memorial is growing. Students made posters in support of Bana and
Savanna Ranger, both recovering in the hospital.
[RELATED: Students and teachers cope with loss of teens after deadly car crash]
“All we can do is pray,” Tewoldenedhin said. “We can't turn back time.
We can't fix nothing. We just have to continue on with our lives and
be strong from now on.”
A candlelight vigil to honor the victims will be held Thursday at 6
p.m. at Cesar Chavez Park in Phoenix.
Roberto Peredes, 27, was driving the truck that was involved in the
collision with the teens' vehicle. Police said he showed signs of
impairment at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing for impairment and speeds. Charges will
be determined based on the investigation and pending blood results.
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[gofundme: Yohana Giorgis]
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Copyright 2016 KPHO/KTVK (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
http://www.azfamily.com/story/33446558/memories-of-2-teens-killed-in-glendale-crash-honored-at-vigil
Memories of 2 teens killed in Glendale crash honored at vigil
Posted: Oct 21, 2016 12:48 PM EDT
Friday, October 21, 2016 12:48
By Jeff Van Sant
jeff.vansant_at_meredith.com
Posted by Phil Benson
LAVEEN, AZ (KPHO/KTVK) -
Dozens of people showed their support Thursday night for two Valley
families dealing with loss.
Friends, teachers and classmates turned out at a candlelight vigil at
Cesar Chavez Park in Laveen to honor the memories of Isia Slater and
Yohana Giorgis.
The two teens were killed and two others were hurt after their vehicle
was struck by a possible drunken driver in Glendale.
It happened on Friday night Oct.14 near 59th Avenue and Camelback Road.
One of the students who died was Isia Slater, a star player on the
high school basketball team with dreams of playing for the University
of Arizona.
The other student killed was Yohana Giorgis, who friends said was
always happy, always smiling and always thinking of others.
Her twin sister, Bana, and a friend, Savanna Ranger, were coming back
from shopping for homecoming when their small car was struck.
Bana Giorgis and Ranger remain hospitalized.
The large turnout at the vigil was a sign that the teens are loved.
One of those attending, Stephanie Lopez, remembered Yohana Giorgis.
“I’m sure she along with Isia, Bana and Savanna touched these many
people’s lives,” Lopez said. “They stood out.”
In the days following the accident, a memorial was set up in front of
all four of the teen’s school, Betty Fairfax High.
The suspected drunken driver has not yet been arrested. Police were
still waiting for results of a blood test.
Copyright 2016 KPHO/KTVK (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
Received on Fri Oct 21 2016 - 21:13:59 EDT