WORCESTER – The lives of two Massachusetts families are shattered after a fatal hit and run killed two men in Methuen on Saturday.
Hit-and-run accident
Celso Dias, 37, and Kenny Milenez, 41, were passengers in a pickup truck with two coworkers on their way to work in New Hampshire when investigators said they were involved in a crash involving a 26-year-old woman who fled the city. scene. Both men were from Worcester.
Loriena Santana was married to Dias for five years. He died in hospital after the crash.
“He was the love of my life,” said Santana, whose brother Thiago translated for her. ‘We prayed together before he went to work. Everyone loves him.’
Luciana Milenez lost her husband Kenny Milenez, who died at the scene. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his seven-year-old son Gabriel and his three-year-old daughter Loren. He also has two other children in Brazil.
The family said Dias was sitting in the front passenger seat and Kenny Milenez was behind him when they were allegedly hit from behind.
“And that person, instead of stopping to help, decided to just run away,” Luciana Milenez said through an interpreter.
The driver and other passenger in the pickup were taken to the hospital and are expected to be OK.
Katrina Nguyen is facing a number of charges, including two counts of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, leaving the scene resulting in death and driving with a suspended license. After the accident she turned herself in to the police.
I hope to bring bodies back to Brazil
“I pray to God and I ask him not to be angry with that person, but I also ask God to seek justice,” Luciana Milenez said through an interpreter.
Both families said Dias and Kenny Milenez loved being carpenters and excelled at their craft, but their main goal was to provide for their family. Family and friends are now trying to raise money online so that both families can have a proper burial. They hope that both bodies will be returned to Brazil.
“They really want his body to be where his family is, but I just don’t have the money for that,” Luciana Milenez said through an interpreter.
At this time, the pain for both families is so deep that they said it is their strong faith in God and the love of the community that is helping them during this difficult time.
“My plans are in God’s hands. I will miss him forever,” Santana said through her brother.
Nguyen will be arraigned Monday morning in Lawrence Superior Court.
