The identities of five men who lost their lives in a fiery crash in Hernando County on Monday have been released.
Apolinar Nunez, 49, Jose Gomez, 53, Santos Vega, 47, Guillermo Chavez, 24, and Felipe Cruz, 48, were all killed when the pickup truck they were in collided with a box truck.
The accident happened at the intersection of Citrus Way (CR-491) and Ponce De Leon Boulevard on Monday morning.
Troopers said the driver of the box truck failed to stop at the intersection, which is controlled with stop signs and flashing red stop lights.
The men worked for Wingate Communications and Electric, Inc.
The company released the following statement:
“We are extremely saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with our lost employees’ families at this time. The loss of five lives is a humbling and heart wrenching experience for all involved. Wingate Communications is a family and we will grieve and work together as families do to get through tough times. There is a memorial fund set up for donations to help support the lost employees’ seven minor children. The Fund’s name is Wingate Communications Lost Employees Children’s Memorial Fund. The fund is being set up on Go FundMe and through MIDFLORIDA. Donations can be made on the Go Fund Me Web site under the memorial’s name or a donation can be made to the fund through Direct Deposits and ACH transactions to MIDFLORIDA Routing Number 263179804. Memorial Account Number 121914321.”
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