'Forever 17': Racine community mourns teen killed in car crash

 

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Racine County Sheriff's Office now confirms a fiery crash early Sunday morning in Racine was deadly.

The sheriff's office says 17-year-old Tyreana Scales was one of the five teenagers in the car that a driver crashed into. They say she died from her injuries on Tuesday, March 11.

"It was heartbreaking," said Taccarrii Hicks, a close friend of Scales. "She didn't deserve none of this, she was the sweetest person ever."

A vigil of balloons and flowers placed by Scale's closest friends and community members continues to grow as they say goodbye to the girl who always had a big smile on her face.

"She loved everybody," said Hicks. "Like everybody, there was never a dull moment at all."

The vigil is along Taylor and 16th, where Veronica Gordon, who lives only a few houses down from the site, says she witnessed the terrifying accident.

"It was unbelievable," said Gordon. "The impact, all I could do was scream. I thought everyone in the car was deceased at that point."

Police say the driver, 34-year-old Salvador Coronado, was going over 90 miles per hour when he crashed into the car full of five teenagers. Gordon watched in horror as she found out her grandson and nephew were among those injured in the car.

"Oh my God, it was just unbelievable the feeling, my heart dropped," said Gordon. "I could not believe it and all I could do on my way to the hospital is just pray that everyone is okay."

Her grandson and nephew are still recovering from the accident and were devastated when they found out Scales didn’t survive her injuries.

"My nephew is taking it very, very hard," said Gordon. "That was literally his best friend. They were together all the time, every day."

The community honoring her memory and making sure she knows she is missed and was loved deeply.

"We love you Ty, forever," said Hicks. "Forever 17."

The driver, Coronado, is currently under hold by the department of corrections, and charges against him are expected in the coming days.

The Racine County Sheriff's Office says records show Coronado was previously convicted of operating a vehicle with a revoked license because of a prior OWI, as well as fleeing and eluding and two counts of bail jumping. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and two years of extended supervision in that case.