Niece devastated by crash that killed senior couple
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A unexpected call from the coroner's office has led to a heartbreaking reality for a Las Vegas family. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) - A unexpected call from the coroner's office has led to a heartbreaking reality for a Las Vegas family.
More than 24 hours after a double-fatal crash near UNLV on Sunday morning, and loved ones of a senior couple are just finding out about what happened.
The Clark County Coroner's Office now says 69-year-old William Humphrey Rose and 64-year-old Maria Ahedo died of blunt-force trauma to the head in the car crash.
Some family members saw the original report on the news, but loved ones say the car was so unrecognizable, they didn't put two and two together.
"I thought, poor people. Why does this have to happen? Then, to find out that it's my family, it's worse," said Carmen Serrano, mourning her aunt and uncle.
Police say another driver's recklessness is to blame for the senior couple's violent deaths.
28-year-old Jonathan Syverson reportedly sped through a red light near the intersection of Maryland Parkway and Harmon around 7:30 a.m.
His Ford Fusion T-boned into the passenger side of the couple's Dodge Stratus, launching the car into the air and spinning it almost ninety degrees.
The car came to rest on the campus of UNLV. Rose and Ahedo died almost instantly.
"It's ridiculous that this had to happen that way," cried Serrano. "It's unbelievable that somebody would be so reckless to do something like that."
Carmen Serrano says her only comfort is knowing that her aunt and uncle died together.
She believes William Rose was driving Maria Ahedo to Treasure Island, where she worked for more than 15 years as a housekeeper.
Rose was retired from the Coast Guard.
"How am I going to tell my grandpa? He's 91-years-old. How are we going to tell my grandpa that his daughter is gone?," asked Serrano. "I wish people would be more careful and really think about what they're doing when they get into that vehicle."
While police say Syverson was undoubtedly at fault, no charges have been announced against him.
Syverson was injured in the crash and remains at Sunrise Hospital in serious condition.
Police say evidence shows that Syverson was speeding. Investigators have not said if alcohol or drugs could've played a role in the crash.
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