Edinburg teen in fatal weekend wreck driving without license

EDINBURG - The 16-year-old trumpet player killed when a van full of student musicians rolled over Saturday said she wasn't afraid to die just days before.

Jennifer Vasquez told her Advanced Placement English class during a presentation about death last week that when it was her time she would go quietly, said Edinburg schools spokesman Gilbert Tagle on Monday.

Jennifer died shortly after she was ejected from a van about 9:40 a.m. Saturday.

Seven other students were injured, including the 15-year-old driver who was illegally behind the wheel of his family's Pontiac Transport.

Local Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Trooper Johnny Hernandez said the force was still investigating Monday whether to pursue charges against the driver, Isaiah Gomez, or his parents.

Classmates recovering

Johnny G. Economedes High School band director Tom Peña reached the accident before the ambulances and was alongside his student's side as she drew her last breath, Tagle said. Peña told district leaders she died as she expected - peacefully.

Other students remained in area hospitals Monday.

Ariel Aguinaga, 16, underwent surgery on her broken back, according to Tagle.

Melissa Ramirez, 15, remained hospitalized at Rio Grande Regional.

And Isaiah was in stable condition and out of the intensive care unit at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen.

DPS is still investigating the accident and expects to soon speak with the driver and his family, Hernandez said.

In Texas, a 15-year-old can obtain a temporary learners permit to drive a car with a licensed passenger who is at least 21 years old. The oldest person in the van Saturday was 17-year-old Ignacio Galvan, who was treated and released from McAllen Medical Center with minor injuries.

In similar accidents, the owners of the vehicles illegally operated by their children are often held liable in addition to the driver.

First day back

Isaiah lost control of the van Saturday as he tried to pass another car in the eastbound side of the two lane Monte Cristo Road, according to DPS.

Apparently Gomez veered sharply right off the road to avoid a head on collision with another vehicle.

He over-steered left as he turned back onto the road, losing control and consequently rolling over the vehicle several times. Several passengers were ejected. None of them were wearing seatbelts, according to DPS.

The group was riding to the first Economedes High School Band Spring Fest, a day of free food, music and kite activities. The event, which was set to run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., was canceled after news of the accident reached school officials.

Some parents of the injured were waiting at the school at the time of the crash.

Monday morning, students returned to Economedes still in shock.

Some students talked to grief counselors and social workers and made banners, cards and posters commemorating Jennifer, Tagle said.

The other passengers, including Edgar Sanchez, 14; Alicia Ramirez, 16; and her younger sister Andrea, 12 - a fifth grader at Monte Cristo Elementary - were treated for minor injuries at McAllen Medical Center at the time of the accident and released.

As news spread of the crash over the weekend, an outpouring of grief sprung up on the Internet, where Jennifer's Myspace page turned into a virtual memorial. She used the handle "the bored one" on the popular social networking Web site.

On a forum for the South Texas Mustang Club, club member Jaime Guerrero posted an emotional message urging members to pray for the family. Members responded with offers of prayers and donations that the club is collecting to help the families with their expenses.

Guerrero used to be in high school with Jennifer and played trumpet with her as well. He is also friends with her older brother Abraham.

Guerrero said he is just looking for answers.

"I really don't know what he was doing," he said of the young driver. "I really wouldn't put the blame on him now, but some things just can't be shrugged off."

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Staff writer Sara Perkins contributed to this report.

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Sean Gaffney covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4434.

Trust Account: Lone Star Bank

Johnny Economedes High School Band Boosters

c/o: Jennifer Vasquez

Account Number: 725-073-73

Donations will help the Vasquez family pay for expenses