5 family members, friend dead in crash between train, SUV in Florida: Here's who they were

Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY
Updated ·4 min read

Guillermo Gama was reportedly texting his aunt on his way to a quinceañera with a car full of people Saturday night.

He told her they would need a couple of tables for their group, who was ready to celebrate, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

But Gama, 23, never made it, nor did the six other people in the car: his 22-year-old girlfriend, her parents, two of her siblings, and a family friend, according to Fox 13.

Moments after texting his aunt Jennifer Cantu, a train moving 55 mph struck the vehicle as it crossed the tracks in Plant City, Florida, killing six passengers in the vehicle and leaving Gama in critical condition.

Officials said the intersection was marked with a stop sign and a railroad crossing sign, but no crossing arms or warning bell. Surveillance footage shows the car "slow crawl" across the tracks without stopping. The conductor's horn and a nearby witness's honk didn't seem to get the driver's attention in the moments before the train struck the car at approximately 6:45 p.m.

Previously: 6 dead after train barrels into SUV at Florida railroad crossing; passenger expected to survive

Gama was hospitalized with extensive injuries such as brain bleeding, a ruptured kidney, and a bruised lung, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. HSCO said Monday he is expected to survive.

"We are hopeful about this young man's recovery and remain committed to not only the investigation but the healing of all those impacted," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a press release.

Cantu said that Gama has a passion for life and family in a GoFundMe she organized for his medical expenses.

"My family and I are living through one of the most tragic episodes of our lives," it reads.

Here is what we know about the car full of people who lost their lives:

Remains of a vehicle are pictured in Plant City, Florida, at the site of a weekend fatal train collision that killed six people when they were crossing the train tracks on their way to a birthday party.
Remains of a vehicle are pictured in Plant City, Florida, at the site of a weekend fatal train collision that killed six people when they were crossing the train tracks on their way to a birthday party.

Jose and Enedelia Hernandez

Jose G. Hernandez, 52, was driving the car when the crash occurred. He was transported to the hospital where he died overnight, according to HSCO.

Jose Hernandez was a truck driver with upwards of 4 million miles under his belt, as reported by WFLA, adding to the confusion of what could have caused him to proceed over the track slowly despite the oncoming train.

His niece Leticia Hernandez said that his wife and children were his priority, according to WFLA.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family's funeral expenses.

Anaelia, Alyssa and Julian Hernandez

The three children of the driver and his wife were also in the car and died at the scene.

Anaelia, 22, was Gama's girlfriend of about a year, according to WFLA.

Alyssa was 17 years old, and her little brother Julian was just 9 years old.

“I think everybody’s in a state of shock right now,” Leticia Hernandez told WFLA. “It’s unheard of when you lose everybody at one time. There are no survivors to his will or testimony so we’re trying to figure out exactly what they all wanted.”

The two younger children attended Plant City High School and Knights Elementary School. The schools provided grief counselors to their fellow students and staff, according to Hillsborough County Public Schools.

"These three students were a wonderful part of their school families, and they will be greatly missed," spokesperson Jennifer Holton said to USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

Anaelia graduated from Plant City High School in 2019. A family friend who also died in the crash, Jakub A. Lopez, was also a current student at the high school.

Jakub A. Lopez

In a GoFundMe organized by a family member, Jakub A. Lopez, 17, was described as a sweet, humble, talented and loving young man.

A junior at Plant City High School, Lopez earned straight As and had a job working at Chick-fil-A.

The Chick-fil-A in Plant City shared a Facebook post about Lopez as a tribute and asked followers to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers, along with the hashtag, #SweetLikeJakub.

"Jakub had the sweetest disposition and the kindest soul. Many of our guest had the pleasure of experiencing his gentle smile & friendly little wave. Our crew members adored working alongside Jakub as he told stories about fixing up his VW Beetle or sharing a frosted coffee with him," the post states. "His sweetness was exemplary in teaching others on how to provide hospitality."

Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Plant City, Florida train-SUV crash: Family, friend among victims