16-year-old killed in crash on I-95
By: Chloe Leshner
Email: Cleshner@abc6.com
Twitter: @CleshnerABC6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence family mourned the loss of a 16-year-old who died in an accident on I–95 overnight.
Now, family and friends are wondering why she was driving the car in the first place since she did not have a license.
The family of 16-year-old Jasmine Reyes is in disbelief, unwilling to go on camera but spoke with ABC6 News in their home. They described her as loving, kind, and the light of any room.
A single balloon waved in the wind on I–95 south. A teddy bear, showed drivers whizzing by that a young life was lost right on this road.
“She had a life ahead of her. She was so young,” said Norelys Canceo.
16-year-old Jasmine Reyes was killed Friday night when the car she was driving struck a median near the Pawtuxet River. The initial accident broke the car’s lights making her and an 18-year-old passenger vulnerable to a second hit by a tow truck.
Police are unsure whether Reyes was getting out of the car or if she was ejected when the tow truck hit.
The news shocked friends who consider her family.
“My heart is just shattered. I’m so heartbroken,” said Chelsea Mendez.
They described her as a social butterfly, always with new people.
“Jasmine she was sweet, she was kind, she was very intelligent and I feel like she didn’t deserve any of this,” added Angela Mendez.
Loved ones spoke with ABC6 do not know the boy Reyes was with or why she was driving his car since she did not have a license.
One local mother saying this loss has to also be a lesson.
“We’re going to miss Jasmine but this has to be a lesson for them to learn you cannot just drive a car because you don’t know how to drive,” said Jennifer Morales.
Reyes went to the Metropolitan Career Tech Center and parents of students there say they were notified that grief counselors will be available.
The 18-year-old passenger Thomas Dimauro and the tow truck driver both suffered minor injuries.
Police are still investigating.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017
