Photo by: ACFR
More details have emerged about the four teens who died from injuries in a high-speed crash on April 20, including the identities of the second two boys.
Teleak Roberts, 16, died at the scene of the crash in Waldo. In an interview with WCJB, Roberts’ father Willy Roberts remembered his son as someone with a good sense of humor who liked to spend time with his friends: “He was a good child.”
Philemon Moore, 16, also died at the scene of the crash. According to a GoFundMe page set up to help the family with burial expenses, Moore’s death left friends and family devastated.
“Someone with so much life and who brought great joy to everyone he touched over his 16 years of life will be deeply missed and forever remembered in the stories that will live on of him,” wrote Shavon Anderson, who created the page. “Everyone fortunate enough to have known him will never forget his smile and laughter.”
The fatal crash occurred when the four teens were trying to evade law enforcement in a vehicle the Gainesville Police Department had reported as stolen. A Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) car used at Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT maneuver, to forcibly stop the speeding vehicle, causing it to roll over and slam into a concrete pole.
FHP is conducting a criminal investigation into the incident.
Both Roberts and Moore had electronic ankle monitors from previous legal issues, according to Darry Lloyd, a spokesperson for the State Attorney’s Office. Moore had served time for burglary and grand theft, while Roberts had served time for burglary and possession of a firearm by a delinquent.
As a father of boys, Lloyd said the tragedy strikes close to home.
“My heart hurts for the parents. My heart hurts for the officers,” Lloyd said. “There’s a level of compassion that goes out to everyone. This isn’t something that we ever want to see.”
More details have emerged about the four teens who died from injuries in a high-speed crash on April 20, including the identities of the second two boys.
Teleak Roberts, 16, died at the scene of the crash in Waldo. In an interview with WCJB, Roberts’ father Willy Roberts remembered his son as someone with a good sense of humor who liked to spend time with his friends: “He was a good child.”
Philemon Moore, 16, also died at the scene of the crash. According to a GoFundMe page set up to help the family with burial expenses, Moore’s death left friends and family devastated.
“Someone with so much life and who brought great joy to everyone he touched over his 16 years of life will be deeply missed and forever remembered in the stories that will live on of him,” wrote Shavon Anderson, who created the page. “Everyone fortunate enough to have known him will never forget his smile and laughter.”
The fatal crash occurred when the four teens were trying to evade law enforcement in a vehicle the Gainesville Police Department had reported as stolen. A Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) car used at Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT maneuver, to forcibly stop the speeding vehicle, causing it to roll over and slam into a concrete pole.
FHP is conducting a criminal investigation into the incident.
Both Roberts and Moore had electronic ankle monitors from previous legal issues, according to Darry Lloyd, a spokesperson for the State Attorney’s Office. Moore had served time for burglary and grand theft, while Roberts had served time for burglary and possession of a firearm by a delinquent.
As a father of boys, Lloyd said the tragedy strikes close to home.
“My heart hurts for the parents. My heart hurts for the officers,” Lloyd said. “There’s a level of compassion that goes out to everyone. This isn’t something that we ever want to see.”
Lloyd said the youngest member of the group, 14-year-old Jabril Chever, had a clean record. He died on April 23 from injuries sustained in the crash.
The oldest person in the vehicle, 17-year-old Lawrence McClendon Jr., was a Newberry Panthers football player. He died April 21—a month after his 18-year-old brother, Jermaine Godbolt, was shot and killed.
“We lost our oldest son exactly one month prior and buried him three weeks ago,” LaToya McClendon wrote on a GoFundMe page last weekend. “There are no words that could amount to pain we are experiencing.”
A funeral service for McClendon is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Destiny Community Church in Newberry.
A service for Chever is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Unity Temple International Fellowship in Williston.
A service for Roberts is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at A.L. Mebane Middle School in Alachua.
Navigating the complexities of a car accident case can be daunting, especially when faced with insurance companies and legal proceedings. Ovadia Law Group is here to provide you with the guidance and support you need to navigate the legal process with confidence. When you contact us at 1-800-674-9396, we’ll schedule a free consultation to review your case and discuss your legal options. Our dedicated team of attorneys will work tirelessly to protect your rights and interests, advocating fiercely on your behalf throughout the legal proceedings. Whether your accident involved a rear-end collision, a side-impact crash, or another type of collision, we’ll fight tirelessly to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Trust Ovadia Law Group to be your advocate and ally as you seek justice and peace of mind after a car accident.
Source: mainstreetdailynews
