Brazoria County, TX : Three Manvel High students killed in fiery crash on Wednesday, January 7, 2015

A fiery car crash near Manvel took the lives of three Pearland-area teenagers Wednesday (Jan. 7).
Around 2 p.m., the three Manvel High School students were killed after their vehicle skidded off the road and caught fire on County Rd. 89 near County Rd. 100 just outside Pearland.
On Thursday (Jan. 8), Alvin Independent School District (AISD) officials released the names of the three victims.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Pearland-resident Joshua “Josh” Rodriguez, who played football and soccer for Manvel High School.
According to a release from Charlotte Liptack, Manvel High School Principal, he attended Don Jeter Elementary and Nolan Ryan Jr. High School, both in Alvin ISD.
“Josh was an active student who was always happy and loved life. He was enthusiastic, vibrant and athletic. He was making plans to attend the University of Houston with a major in engineering,” Liptack said.
Rodriguez had a tenth grade sibling at Manvel High School and a fifth grade sibling at Mary Marek Elementary, as well as a sibling that was a 2013 graduate of Manvel High School.
The two passengers were identified as Pearland-resident Zornitsa “Zori” Petrova and Sara Silva of Clute.
Petrova was the senior class president who was a member of the tennis and swim teams. Previously, she attended Mary Marek Elementary School and Nolan Ryan Junior High.
“She had an outgoing, contagious personality,” Liptack said. “She was a brilliant student and an integral member of the debate and academic decathlon teams. She had been accepted, and was planning to attend Texas A&M University.”
Silva played varsity softball and was in her second year as a Manvel High School student. Prior to that, she attended Brazoswood High School She planned to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio.
“Sara always had a bright smile and was a vibrant part of the Manvel High School community. She was kind, hardworking, and always helpful,” Liptack said. “Sara is the daughter of Manvel High School Dual Credit Advisor, Monica Silvas. Mrs. Silvas is an instrumental part of the Maverick Family.”
Silva was a resident of Clute and had older siblings who attend schools outside Alvin ISD.
Principal Liptack expressed her sympathy in a letter to Manvel High School parents and students.
“The Manvel High School community is a family that shows incredible support for one another during trying times. The three families need to know that we care, but they also need privacy today and throughout the week. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and please be there for each other,” Liptack wrote. "I know that we will get through this difficult time together.”


Source :
School officials identify Pearland-area teens killed in car crash