Man killed in car crash off Cooper Bridge, friends remember 21-year-old victim
Officials say a man died from a car crash early Sunday morning on Northside Blvd. under the Cooper Bridge.
The car was traveling south on Eddy Street over the Cooper Bridge. Just before 4 a.m. it went over the median and a curb on the side of the northbound lane. The car then went over the embankment and landed upside down on Northside Blvd.
In the backseat, 21-year-old Oscar Alonso of South Bend, was ejected from the vehicle. He was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.
Officials say the driver and front seat passenger were not seriously injured. Both are 19 years old and from South Bend.
"It hurt me, devastated me. When I found out I fell to the floor and cried," said friend Brett Fine.
Shocked and devastated by his sudden death, Alonso's friends says they were with him right before the accident.
"We are mourning together. He had problems with no body he had problems with no body so everyone is confused as to why him," said Fine.
A group of friends gathered at Chippewa Bowl on Sunday night because Alonso loved bowling.
"He was everybody’s friend he is somebody that's you just don’t come across too much. Oscar Loved us all like family. We just want to show the love back by being here for him, because this is what he loves to do," said friend Austen Laughlin.
A GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses has raised over $3,000. The page, titled Rest In Peace - Oscar Alonso, reads:
"Last night Oscar Alonso was taken too soon. His family is devastated and we ask that you keep them in your prayers. Filemon Alonso and Areli Pineda lost their first born in a horrific car accident. Oscar was a passenger in the vihicle, others involved in accident survived. Please always buckle up!"
"We are all taking it as a learning lesson. Be safe, buckle up, life’s short it could happen in the blink of an eye," said Fine.
The crash is still being investigating by the St. Joseph County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team.