Families grapple with loss of musicians, parents after Wimauma crash
Misael Lopez-Velasco, 29, always called his family in Mexico twice a day and sent money every two weeks to support his wife and kids, ages 2 to 10.
A proud father who came to the United States a year and a half ago to work in construction, Lopez-Velasco played bass for a Mexican folk band called Tierras de Juárez.
On Sunday morning he and four others died in a three-vehicle crash in southeastern Hillsborough County in a wreck that shut down State Road 674 for hours until it reopened at 2 p.m. Along with Lopez-Velasco, killed were two other band members: drummer Osvaldo Lopez-Flores, 23, and singer Perfecto Morales-Gutierrez, 38. Morales-Gutierrez’ 38-year-old wife, Aurora, who was also Lopez-Velasco’s sister, died as well. All of them lacked permanent U.S. legal status.
The crash also killed a 42-year-old man whose identity was not disclosed by the troopers. Other details and the circumstances of the crash are still being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol, said spokesperson Steve Gaskins.
On Wednesday, families and friends of the members of Tierras de Juárez met in Orlando with the Consul of Mexico, Juan Sabines. They asked for help from Mexican officials in paying some funeral expenses and coordinating the return of Lopez-Flores’ body to Mexico. The other families have not yet made a decision.
With a special visa and a death certificate, the Mexican consulate can repatriate a body. The consulate can also contribute $1,000 if the family does not have enough money and can help with other arrangements for the preparation and disposition of the remains. The requests were approved for the families, Sabines said.
At about 7 a.m. Sunday the band had just played at a religious celebration in Immokalee to pay tribute to St. Jude Thaddeus, known in the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of hopeless causes. The band’s pickup, a Toyota Tacoma heading west on State Road 674, Wimauma’s main road, veered into the eastbound lanes and collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado. A third truck spun into a ditch.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the third truck was not injured, while the driver of the Chevrolet Silverado died.
Feliciano Velasco, a cousin of both Lopez-Velasco and Aurora who lives in Hardee County, said he was heartbroken when he found out about the crash.
“They were very good people. Misael arrived in the United States a year and a half ago and was working very hard,” said Velasco during an interview with the Tampa Bay Times. “Misael had a passion for music, and his sister Aurora was a kind woman. Perfecto was a good husband for her and they enjoyed helping others.”
Friends and relatives of Lopez-Flores in Wimauma said he came from the Mexican state of Guerrero 10 months ago to send money for his wife and three children, ages 2 to 6. His family was very proud that he was working in construction and playing drums for a popular band, according to his cousin Cesar Basilio. He said Lopez-Flores wanted to learn fast and be part of the community.
“My cousin was very dedicated to his work and music. The last time I saw him was over a week ago and he was very cheerful,” said Basilio. “It’s very difficult to understand what has happened.”
A GoFundMe created by Basilio had raised nearly $110 of a $10,000 goal to repatriate the body of Lopez-Flores and to pay for the funeral expenses.
Another GoFundMe has been established to help the children of Aurora and Perfecto Morales-Gutierrez, Tayder, 17, and Brandon, 4. The couple had been living in the United States for over 17 years. The family has not yet decided whether to bury, cremate, or send the remains of the parents to Villa de Zaachila in Oaxaca, Mexico, their hometown. By Thursday morning the page had raised over $2,975. The goal is set at $30,000.
Dalia Morales, who was friends with the victims, said that everyone in central Florida wanted the band to perform at local events, quinceañeras and church celebrations. For many, they were the soul of Mexican culture.
“They were always willing to play music anywhere, get people dancing and support local churches when needed,” said Morales. “It will be hard to say goodbye.”
