submit a death
contact us
LOGIN
or
SIGN UP
MyDeathSpace.com
all
articles
forum
HOME
ARCHIVE
FORUM
MISSING PERSONS
CRIMINALS
Jesus Ortiz (21) died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident
Filed Under:
Automobile Accident
Published: Feb 12, 2008 @ 12:09 AM
Jesus Ortiz (21)
Date:
May 08, 2007
Cause of Death:
Automobile Accident
Location:
Orlando, FL
URL:
view their profile
The lives of three UCF students were changed forever May 8 when a violent car crash on Alafaya Trail left one student dead and sent two to the hospital.
Jesus Ortiz, a business major, died in the crash.
Ortiz left Boardwalk Apartments driving a 1999 Honda Accord. His girlfriend Sarah Rogers, a Student Government Association senator and president of the Society of Women Engineers, was in the passenger seat.
Seth Merle was heading north on Alafaya Trail in a 2007 Mazda. Ortiz turned right onto Alafaya Trail to go north and pulled in front of Merle's Mazda.
Merle swerved to try and avoid the impact but hit the driver's side.
The violent impact of metal and glass crushed the driver's side of the Accord nearly into the passenger seat and sent both vehicles spinning into the southbound lanes.
When Florida Highway Patrol officers arrived, Ortiz was already dead. His girlfriend, Rogers, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in a coma. She's now listed in stable condition and has made progress toward recovery.
"[Ortiz] was probably one of the best people I ever knew," said friend Stephanie Kostakis in an e-mail. "I never saw him without a smile on his face. He had a kind heart, a good head on his shoulders, and could brighten up anyone's day.
"I went to the viewing. Normally when you go they say the person should look 'at peace,' but he didn't," Kostakis continued in the e-mail. "He looked uncomfortable. It wasn't his time."
Merle was taken to ORMC as well, and has since been released.
FHP Trooper Kim Miller said that charges are pending in the accident. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the crash.
However, neither Rogers nor Ortiz were wearing seatbelts.
Ortiz's viewing and burial were held on May 7 and 8. He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery.
His best friend, Valencia student Robbie Swiebel, described him as someone who "enjoyed everything. [He liked] to eat, [go to] the beach, the finer things in life, but mostly just being with his friends."
Related Article(s):
UCF student dies in tragic car crash
«
go back to article archive list
article loaded in 0 ms
Latest Articles
Sandy Lertzman (62) killed herself and 31 of her rescue dogs via asphyxiation
An Ohio woman who lived much of her life as an animal lover may have died a dog killer.
read more...
Melinda Armold (33) died after a battle with ovarian cancer
Armold, Melinda 33, of Scottsdale, AZ passed away on October 17, 2013.
read more...
Kyle Deblock (22) died when he crashed his motorcycle into a guard rail
A Ward man is dead after an early morning motorcycle accident in Lonoke County.
read more...
Jason Ring (33) was killed in a head-on auto collision
One person is dead, another injured after a head on crash in Paragould late Friday night.
read more...
Keith Brussman (26) was killed when a driver pulled out into the path of his motorcycle
Brussman, Keith Duane II 26 of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on October 29, 2013. Keith was born in Panama City, Florida to his parents, Keith and Janet.
read more...