12-year-old passenger killed in Dallas crash, police say

DALLAS — Editor’s note: A previous version of the headline said the driver of the car died. The headline has been corrected to say a passenger was the victim who died.

No one can really prepare you for goodbye. 

“This is my first time losing a friend,” said Jose Vargas Jimenez, a Mesquite resident, as he greeted farewell to his friend, 12-year-old Kevin Briones.

“I didn’t see him for a long time. I just wanted to make up for the last time since I couldn’t see him,” said Vargas Jimenez.

Briones was killed, and three others were injured in a crash on Thursday morning, police said.

The crash happened at about 8:40 a.m. near Caspian Drive and Lasater Road, in an area of Mesquite near Interstate 20 heading toward Seagoville.

Witnesses in the area told WFAA they saw the SUV speeding before the crash. Dallas Police Department sources confirmed to WFAA that the male driver was speeding.

One of the injured child’s brothers told WFAA that the driver and passenger were arguing when someone yanked the steering wheel, causing the SUV to go off the road. DPD sources confirmed the children in the hospital said there was an argument before the crash.

“They were speeding, and then they started arguing. Then, he started messing with the steering wheel and just went off-road and crashed in a tree,” said Jimenez.

Dallas police confirmed the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree. Police said one of the passengers, a 12-year-old male, died at the scene. The juvenile driver, a 12-year-old male, and two other passengers, 11-year-old and 12-year-old males, were taken to a local hospital in stable condition, officials say. 

“The bumper was in the middle of the street, and the car was mangled,” said Sharon Webb, a nearby resident who was driving pass the crash. “It was very sad. It’s very, very sad.”

Video footage from the scene of the crash showed the front of the vehicle was badly damaged and smashed, along with the front windshield. Police were still investigating the crash later Thursday morning. 

All Friday, friends visited the crash site to pay their respects. 

“We’re still in shock. The memories that my brothers have with them is not going to leave,” said Alexa Carrillo, a friend. Her brothers were close friends of all four boys.

“They used to go to our house and play,” said Sulema Carrillo, the friends’ mother. 

A GoFundMe was created for Kevin, which makes it all too real for loved ones. 

“It’s just sad that my brothers and their families have to go through something. Not everybody can process it right,” said Alexa Carrillo.

While reality settles, so does goodbye. 

“I couldn’t say bye. I just wanted a piece with him and talk with him for a bit,” said Jimenez.

To support the GoFundMe, click here.