OCALA, FL : Authorities release names of crash victims on Monday, December, 18th 2017

Authorities on Monday officially released the names of the two young women, both students at Vanguard High School, who died as the result of a car crash in northeast Ocala on Friday.

The Ocala Police Department confirmed the victims as Alyssa Comstock-Alexander, 17, and Amanda Lopez, 15.

The crash occurred on Northeast 14th Street near Northeast 30th Avenue, when, according to reports, the car in which the girls were traveling attempted to make a left turn onto Northeast 14th Street and was struck by an eastbound semi-truck.

Amanda, a ninth-grader, and Alyssa, an 11th-grader, were in the same music program at VHS, according to Kevin Christian, public relations officer with Marion County Public Schools. He said participation in the musical program meant they were well known by other students.

Tony Lopez, Amanda’s father, said Monday that she was “a blessing from God.” He said the support by the community has been overwhelming and he hopes the family of Alyssa receives the same support his family has gotten.

A life memorial is planned for Amanda at 7 p.m. Thursday at First Assembly of God Church, at 1827 NE 14th St., Ocala, where she was involved with ministries. The public is welcome to attend the memorial, Tony Lopez said.

He expressed concern about the corner where the crash happened and said he feels that a traffic light is needed there. He said he will have a petition at the memorial aimed at getting a signal installed and that he has invited the city’s mayor and police chief to attend the memorial.

“We need a traffic light at that intersection immediately. I want Amanda and Alyssa to be the last to die at that corner,” Lopez said.

The VHS student body has suffered the loss of not only the two girls but also the death of Jeffrey Scott, 18, who died as the result of a shooting in northeast Ocala the night of Dec. 12.

“Jeffrey was popular for his vibrant social personality at school,” Christian stated about the senior class member.

Christian said grief counselors have been on campus at the school for several days.

“This is a tremendous, unbelievable, loss of three students in one week. VHS is in mourning,” Christian said.

Dozens of students and friends turned out for a memorial for Jeffrey and prayer support gathering for his family at their home on Sunday night.

Antonio Oats, 19, a longtime friend, Essence Bell, 16, Tomiya Brown, 18, Laderrick Pender, 15, and Kiahra Moore, 15, and recent VHS graduate Jarvai Walker, were among those who shared their remembrances of Jeffrey.

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Authorities release names of crash victims