2 Teen Brothers Killed In 2-Vehicle Crash In Palmdale Identified

PALMDALE (AP) — Los Angeles County authorities say two teenage brothers were killed and another person was injured in a two-vehicle collision in Palmdale.

Sheriff's Lt. Ron Shaffer says the brothers were in a Toyota Camry that collided with a Buick Friday evening.

The older brother, Cruz Flores, was 19 and in college. The younger one, Jesus Flores, was a high school student. The teenagers were identified by the coroner's office on Saturday.

Investigators didn't say who was driving. The person in the Buick was taken to a hospital with a possible broken leg.

KCAL9's Cristy Fajardo reported from an emotional vigil held Saturday for both brothers.

Family and friends and said Cruz and Jesus -- friends and family also called him Jesse -- were always together and very popular .

Loved ones say that so many people wanted to honor Cruz and Jesse the vigil had to be held at a park. Tragedy striking A family already in mourning -- just last week they also lost another young cousin.

Friends and family left candles in the shape of a heart.

"It is really hard losing three people in less than a month. Our families are together, we're all trying to hold it together," said Joie Ortega.

On Friday evening, Cruz -- who was home from Cal State LA--  was driving Jesse to swim practice. Deputies say they made a sudden U-turn into the path of another car.

The family says the two were always close -- Cruz joined the swim team at Palmdale High and Jesse followed.  He also planned to study engineering -- he was a math genius and loved calculus --  just like his older brother

"They both just fell in love with physics, and engineering and were good at it. If you needed something solved you went to them," said Ortega

The family says they have no doubt the Flores boys would have gone on to change the world through science.Even at such a young age the large crowd was proof they made an impact and touched many lives.

The family has set up a GoFundMe memorial fund in the teen's memory and to help their mother -- she has three other children and now must bury two of her sons. Click here for more information.

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