GoFundMe Effort Launched For Family Of Bridgeport Couple In Fatal Florida Crash

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A GoFundMe campaign has been launched on behalf of Bridgeport residents Nealson Carrasquillo and Jalissa Velazquez, after a Florida crash involving a suspected drunk driver took Carrasquillo's life.

The engaged couple were vacationing in Orlando, Florida Sunday when a suspected drunk driver reportedly smashed into their vehicle and fled on foot, WFTV and Yahoo News reported.

Carrasquillo, 29, was killed in the crash, and Velazquez, 23, reportedly was critically injured and remains hospitalized.

Florida authorities apprehended the suspect, 19-year-old Florida resident Christopher Laureda, and he has reportedly been charged with DUI manslaughter.

News 12 Connecticut reported that Laureda is suspected of deliberately running a red light as part of a game, which led to the crash.

"My cousin, Jalissa is facing the unimaginable after a fatal car crash in Florida," Naria Velazquez, who launched the GoFundMe campaign, wrote. "This has changed our family’s life in an instant. Jalissa is still in the ICU, holding on and recovering while everyone who loves her waits, hopes, and prays that each day brings more healing to her body. At the same time, our family is carrying the heartbreaking loss of her fiancé, Nealson Carrasquillo, who sadly passed away in the accident. The pain of grieving Nealson while watching Jalissa fight to recover has been overwhelming, and this has been one of the hardest seasons we have ever known."

As of Tuesday, the effort had raised more than $7,000 toward a goal of $20,000.

To view the GoFundMe campaign on behalf of Nealson Carrasquillo and Jalissa Velazquez, click here.

Read the WFTV/Yahoo News story; read the News 12 Connecticut story.