State police are retracing the actions of a wrong-way driver who crashed into a car that killed two women and left one seriously hurt.

They believe 31-year-old Jamison Coppolino of Portland was traveling east in the westbound HOV on Interstate 84 in East Hartford when he collided with the car the women were riding in.

State Police say 33-year-old Evelyn Valazquez of Glastonbury was driving westbound on I-84 toward Hartford in the HOV lane with two friends in the car when suddenly they were hit head-on by another car.

For family members of 32-year-old Linda Santana of Hartford there is double the sadness in the wake of a tragic weekend crash on I-84.

Santana was best friends with Valazquez. Both were killed in Valazquez's car around 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning while driving home from Funny Bones in Manchester.

Linda Santana leaves behind a husband and three children.

Evelyn Valazquez was a single mother of two. She and her children were set to celebrate her birthday today.

Her next door neighbor describes Evelyn as a kind and devoted mom.

"I say, 'Why God, couldn't you save her one more time? Give her one more chance.' She has two kids. She is not here anymore."

Family members say they plan to have a joint funeral honoring the two best friends, Linda and Evelyn. They're also focused on getting justice.

State Police Lieutenant J. Paul Vance says even though the crash is the result of a wrong way driver, it can't be treated like an open and shut case.

"It's important that you do it accurately and correctly and certainly do it in a timely fashion," Lt. Vance stated. "But it's more important we finish the investigation and get all the answers to all the questions before we move to the next level, to possibly make an arrest."

State Police and the Department of Transportation are studying the stretch of highway, especially the HOV -- High Occupancy Vehicle – lane, to see if any changes need to be made to this part of the highway.

Stefanie Taylor of Windsor, another passenger in the women's car, was taken to the hospital.

Coppolino was taken to the hospital, but didn't appear to be hurt.