Families Raising Funds To Bury Young Women Killed On Scooter

TAMPA, FL -- The families of two friends who were killed in a scooter accident on Jan. 12 are hoping to raise money to help bury the young women.

Natalia Morales Luna of Tampa had just turned 19 years old two days before the accident that claimed her life. Her friend, Valentina Llanos, 17, of Coral Springs was operating the scooter and Morales was riding on the back at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Llanos made a left turn onto Florida Avenue from Garland Court and drove into the path of a pickup truck (see related story).

Llanos died at the scene. Luna was taken to an area hospital where she died later. The pickup truck driver was uninjured.

Luna's brother-in-law, Andres Ortega Palacios, said his wife, Angelica Luna, is devastated by the death of her little sister. They hope to raise enough funds for funeral expenses and to transport her for burial in her hometown of Cali, Colombia.

Llanos' cousin, Maria Estefany Serna, said she still can't believe the vibrant, beautiful young women are gone. Seconds before, they were happy-go-lucky teenagers.

Llanos was also from Colombia.

Both families have set up GoFundMe campaigns in the hopes of raising $5,000 to bury the young women.

Click here for the GoFundMe page for Natalia Luna and here for the GoFundMe page for Valentina Llanos.

A visitation for both young women will take place Jan. 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

Images via Luna and Llanos families

Natalia Luna

Valentina Llanos

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