A deadly crash Friday night claimed the lives of four people, including three small children.
Authorities have identified the Lakeland man and his three children who suffered fatal injuries in a horrific single-car crash Friday in Lake County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Wilfredo Malave, 41, was traveling south on State Road 33 at Groveland Airport Road about 6:45 p.m. Friday when he lost control of his 2009 Mercedes Benz sedan.
Malave had just picked up his children for the weekend.
“The family is taking it pretty hard needless to say but we are getting a lot of love from a lot of people,” said Malave’s brother-in-law, Adrian Deshazor.
Deshazor said he spent a lot of time with the family.
He described Avaya as being the shy one. He said Zion was the really smart one and Phoenix was always happy.
“They were just great, great, great kids. Always smiling, always fun, happy so this is definitely a tragic loss,” said Deshazor.
The vehicle left the road and struck several trees and a pole before continuing onto the shoulder. The car's roof then struck a tree, troopers said.
Malave and his 9-year-old, Zion, were pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers said Phoenix Malave, 7, and Avaya Malave, 2, died at South Lake Hospital.
“There’s a lot of love in this family but they’re in a lot of pain right now,” Deshazor said.
Deshazor said they aren’t surprised so many people are reaching out to them because Malave was such a great father, friend and husband.
“He was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. I know he loved his kids. He loved his kids, he loved his wife. He loved his family," said Deshazor.
Deshazor said the children’s mother is taking it the hardest.
“We’re just asking for prayers for the family to help them be strong because it’s going to be needed now and the days and times to come,” Deshazor said.
The family hasn’t started making funeral arrangements yet, but they said they may be planning a memorial at the site of the crash.