Yene Rivera, 18 and Sophia Rivera, 4, lost their lives in a multiple car crash April 13 at approximately 11 p.m. on the southbound side of IH-635 near La Prada. Upon their arrival, Garland Police Department officers discovered that four vehicles had been involved in the accident.
Witnesses said that a white Ford Mustang was driving erratically in traffic and then came to a complete stop on the highway. When the Mustang stopped, a dark SUV was forced to slam on the brakes causing a gray Saturn to hit the back of the SUV, which caused the SUV to strike the rear of the Mustang. A white Dodge passenger vehicle then struck the rear of the Saturn causing extensive damage to all vehicles.
Witnesses told police officers that at least two subjects exited the Mustang and fled from the accident scene on foot.
Officers observed four passengers in the Saturn, all with substantial injuries. The driver, a 20-year-old male identified as Brayan Rivera and a 2-year-old male passenger identified as Jayden Maireina-Rivera, were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
The SUV held four occupants, one of which was a 2-year-old who was transported with nonlife threatening injuries. The white Dodge was occupied by a single driver who was released at the scene by paramedics.
Garland investigators followed up on leads that helped them locate and identify the occupants of the Mustang. The driver has been identified as 17-year-old Adalberto Rivera of Dallas who has been arrested and charged with Failure to Stop and Render Aid, a second degree felony. Investigators were able to identify the other occupants as a 16-year-old female and a 15-year-old male who have not been charged at this time.
Adalberto Rivera was arrested at 4999 S. Buckner Blvd. in Dallas.
The investigation is still ongoing.