Friends, bandmates and teammates of the “three beautiful angels” who died in the crash on Route 391 in Chicopee early Sunday morning, took to Facebook to share memories and prayers to the victims’ families.
Jonathan Santiago, 24, of Springfield, Karylee Lopez Moret, 23, of Springfield and Angel Gabriel Rosado Colon, 25, of Holyoke were identified as the three people who died in the crash, according to Massachusetts State Police spokesperson Dave Procopio.
Around 3:40 a.m. Sunday, troopers responded to a report of a car fully engulfed in flames on Route 391 north at the 2.4-mile marker in Chicopee.
The driver, Santiago, was removed from the flaming vehicle. However, the car’s two passengers, Colon and Moret, were trapped inside the car and died, according to officials.
First responders rushed Santiago to Baystate Medical Center for treatment. He later died of his injuries at the hospital.
People turned to Facebook following the crash to share pictures videos and fond memories they had with Santiago, Moret and Colon.
Santiago was a member of the Connecticut Brewers softball team. The Brewers gathered in full uniform on their field Sunday to send a flock of balloons to the heavens for #5 — Santiago’s player number.
“Lots of strength to all the Family #5,” the team wrote on its Facebook along with a video of the balloon send-off.
Colon was the youngest member of local Latin band, Sensacion Urbana. The band held a tribute in honor of the crash victims Sunday. A video of the tribute was posted to the band’s Facebook page.
“Today 28th of May an important part of our group leaving to the arms of our Lord Jesus,” the band wrote on its page before the tribute. “Sensacion Urbana is mourning with a broken heart we ask you to put all the family and friends of our Angel Rosado better known as Menor Guira in your prayers”
A friend of all three victims, Drai Rivera, took to Facebook to lament her grief.
“Words can’t describe how we feel right now Rest in Peace to our three beautiful Angels Karylee Lopez Jonathan Santiago Angel G. Rosado Colon,” wrote Rivera.
State police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.